I didn’t have a lot of people I would call a hero when I was growing up.

I looked up to my older brothers, but there were a few and one of them passed away last weekend.

John Wooden was definitely a hero to me.

When I was a kid growing up the UCLA Bruins were in the midst of their championship run.

I remember wanting to go to California and attend UCLA because I loved watching its basketball program and I loved those old Bruin warm-ups.

I always wanted to buy one, but never did.

I liked the way they played and I liked the way Wooden coached.

The more I learned about the Wizard of Westwood, the more I loved the man.

When I found out he grew up in Indiana and coached in South Bend, that endeared him to me even more.

Wooden’s approach to basketball was simple. He ran a simple offense, but his teams ran it so well it really didn’t matter if the other teams knew how it worked.

It all came down to execution and his teams did it better than everyone else.

The Bruins played solid defense and for more than a few years, had the best talent of any college basketball program.

The top players flocked to Southern California and the UCLA program prospered because of it.

I don’t think Wooden ever got his just due for the discipline he installed in his players.
You did it his way and that way worked so well that the Bruins were penciled in as national champions so many times the writers had to develop cramps.

I have been watching and listening to the tributes from former players, former assistant coaches, the people who worked along side him, the media who covered his teams and even his opponents.

There is a common thread throughout all of those comments and it’s that they respected the man not only as a basketball coach, but also as a human being that cared for his players and the people around him.

Perhaps President Obama said it best in the statement he released earlier this week.

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of an incredible coach, and an even better man, John Wooden,” he said. “As a basketball fan, I remember fondly his 10 NCAA championships, his unrivaled winning streak at UCLA, and the caliber of players he mentored.  But as an American, I salute the way he achieved all that success – with modesty, and humility, and by wholeheartedly dedicating his life to the betterment of others.

“Even after he became one of the game’s early heroes, he worked as a high school teacher. And for the rest of his life, on and off the court, he never stopped teaching.  He never stopped preparing his players, and everyone he met, to be their best. Despite all the records and the championships, he once said that it wasn’t the tournaments or the games he missed the most – it was the practice and the preparation.  He is reunited with his beloved wife, Nell, now; and my thoughts and prayers are with his children, James and Nancy; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and all whose lives were forever changed because John Wooden lived his so well.”

Although many of today’s young athletes may not even know who Wooden was – after all, he coached his final game in 1975 – it would be best if they took a look at this legend and try to emulate his work ethic and his dedication to the game he loved so much.

That would truly be a great way to honor his memory.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com