New “˜Pyramid’ adds to Wooden philosophy
By J.P. Hoornstra
March 31, 2003 9:00 p.m.
Neville Johnson describes his updated edition of “The John
Wooden Pyramid of Success” ($23.95, Cool Titles) as a book
“about the human condition, love, marriage, relationships in
business, family and romance, and generally how to get along in
life, both internally and socially.”
Though it may not become all those things to every reader
““ even after reading all 470 pages ““
“Pyramid” offers an engaging lesson in philosophy and
history about one of the most important men in UCLA history,
basketball coach from 1948 to 1975, John Wooden.
The newly revised second edition, to be released soon, adds a
few features to the 2000 book of the same title: interviews with
former Nixon Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman, former UCLA basketball
reserve Andy Hill, who co-authored (with Wooden) “Be Quick
But Don’t Hurry,” and Jack Tobin, who co-authored
Wooden’s autobiography “They Call Me Coach.”
Johnson also has added a few more “Woodenisms”
““ maxims Wooden originated over his career that carry the
tone of something hung from the wall of a fifth-grade classroom,
such as “Earn the right to be proud and confident.”
The book offers a thinly woven biography of Wooden, but
it’s intentionally abridged; this is a philosophy book above
all. Still, what Johnson provides in his book gives readers a new
look ““ through the eyes of Wooden ““ at the men who gave
UCLA the Morgan Center, Ackerman Union and Murphy Hall, to name a
few.
Sixty-five interviews with Wooden’s family, former
players, colleagues and fellow Hoosiers combine to paint a strong
oral history that has long been the vehicle for Wooden’s
legend.
The three new interviews are among the strong ones,
complementing such diverse voices as Bill Walton, current Vice
Chancellor and former Wooden player Pete Blackman, broadcaster Dick
Enberg and former Chancellor Franklin Murphy.
But as the title suggests, the book is lined throughout with
Wooden’s philosophy as epitomized by his “Pyramid of
Success.” As it is clearly shown, Wooden’s philosophy
is not only what made him a great basketball coach, but what makes
him such an important influence on those around him.
The Pyramid has influenced basketball players, corporate
executives and even, it seems, students in Estonia.
For all its simplicity, the Pyramid, consisting of its 25 blocks
on which Wooden has lived and lectured, is a thorough philosophy.
It is useful enough to be played out successfully both in
basketball games and life in general, and as Johnson shows, the
better part of a really long book.
