John Wooden

John Wooden was born Oct. 14, 1910 and was reared on an Indiana farm as a young boy. He learned his work ethic at an early age and carried that into his college studies and athletic endeavors, then into his career as teacher and coach.

Wooden admired his father, Joshua Hugh Wooden. His father taught Wooden and his brothers to be humble, to refrain from profanity, and to be fair. Wooden still keeps a note given to him by his father upon graduation from his elementary school. The note was advice he suggested the boy learn to live by:

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Make each day your masterpiece.

3. Help others.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance, count and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Wooden is a spiritual man who professes...