Coach Wooden is considered the best College Basketball Coach of all time.  He is credited with 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years!  He was born October 14, 1910 and was the first person to ever be in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player AND as a coach!  February 29th is recognized as John Wooden Day at UCLA.

His coaching philosophy can be carried into every sport or facet of life.  His numerous quotes are compelling and can teach us so much if we chose to listen, learn, and apply his words.  Coach Wooden has enlightened and inspired people through his actions and words of wisdom for many years.

Failure to Prepare is Preparing to Fail

A Man May Make Mistakes, But He Isn't A Failure Until He Starts Blaming Someone Else

It Is Amazing How Much Can Be Accomplished If No One Cares Who Gets The Credit

Don't Mistake Activity For Achievement

Be More Concerned With Your Character Than Your Reputation. Your Character Is What You Really Are, While Reputation Is Merely What Others Think You Are

Intensity Makes You Stronger.  Emotionalism Makes You Weaker

If You Don't Have Time To Do It Right, When Will You Have Time To Do It Over

Here at Karate America we weave Coach Wooden's philosophy into our curriculum.  We talk about his Pyramid Of Success. We use this in our Leadership classes and our black belt candidates are expected to read/learn more about Coach Wooden and write a report.

In October 2008 our Black Belt Candidates were asked to give us their favorite Coach Wooden quote and tell us what it means to them.  Our 1st Degree Black Belt Class of November 15, 2008 share with us their thoughts on how Coach Wooden has impressed them and touched their lives (especially in these last few months of preparing and training for their Black Belts). 

ADULT CANDIDATES

Amy - Claimed her favorite quote when first starting her journey to Black Belt and remains with her yet today is "Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worth while or lasting."

DeeDee - "If you are not making mistakes, then you are not doing anything." We demonstrate the skill we are working on and can see areas that would work differently or better.  By seeing and doing we are improving.

Kelli - The building block that stands out for me is intentness.  Without a decided intentness of mind and the ability to stay on course throughout changes and difficulties the journey would be essentially impossible.

Lisa - Coach Wooden used pride as a motivator - not fear.  Punishment was not part of his coaching.  He felt discipline was for correcting and improving not punishing.

Lori - The quote that has guided me on my journey towards Black Belt is "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail."

Sue - Everything we have learned in the past, present, and in the future will one way or another be helpful (and per Master Koster "it all flows together")

JUNIOR CANDIDATES

Andrew -

Josephine - I use initiative  in school and other related activities.  Initiative is being ready for things that are thrown at you in life, like not holding back when you have to do something that you didn't do before.

Kayla - Just being smart might get me where I want to go, but having good character will help me stay where I want to be- no matter how much I know or how well I perform, I must continue to improve.

Naomi -

Sawyer - "Knowing what you're doing and being able to do it quickly and properly." Keeping your hands up when someone throws at you, if your mind goes blank then put your arms up until you figure it out.

Timothy - "A real love for the hard battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be your best when your best is required." I think it means trying hard is trying your best.

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