John Wooden graced UCLA’s campus on Sunday, this time in
the bookstore instead of on the basketball court.
Promoting his newest memoir, “My Personal Best,”
Wooden arrived Sunday to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books to
a line which stretched from the interior bottom level of Ackerman
Union, out the doors and around the building.
Citing his longtime friend and co-author Steve Jamison as an
inspiration, the idea for Wooden’s latest book came from his
collection of photos, which had never been published.
“We researched some old photos I had and wanted to make a
coffee table-type book,” Wooden said.
Wooden and Jamison have also collaborated on other works, such
as “Wooden: A Lifetime of Reflections On and Off the
Court” and Wooden’s children’s book, “Inch
and Miles.”
“My Personal Best” serves as the story of
Wooden’s journey from his birth on an Indiana farm to his
magical reign as the coach of UCLA’s men’s basketball
team. While the story may have already been told, this book focuses
mostly on the figures in Wooden’s life who shaped his own
visions on leadership and teamwork.
Wooden’s own values, which have developed into his
trademark Pyramid of Success, translated into a unequaled 10
national championships for the Bruins, seven of them consecutive.
But more than the statistics, Wooden’s values have left an
indelible mark on the UCLA community and beyond.
“He is a legend and an icon ““ there’s no other
way to put it,” said Wilk Peery, who graduated from UCLA in
1956 and was first in line to have his copy of “Wooden”
signed after being the first fan turned away last year at a similar
book signing.
This year, Peery arrived at 9:30 a.m. with a lawn chair and was
prepared to wait. Holding up a poster of the Pyramid of Success, he
pointed to the ideas of sincerity, reliability and integrity
““ values that form the cornerstones of Wooden’s values
chart.
“Those are the things he taught me ““ he is a role
model not only as a coach, but a father and a person.”
Wooden was also on hand to sign “Inch and Miles,”
which his granddaughter inspired him to write.
“She told me, “˜Papa, the youngsters don’t
understand these things,’ and I’m very happy with the
way things have turned out (with the book).”
Indeed, Wooden seemed more than happy on Sunday, and indulged
those waiting in line with signatures, handshakes, and conversation
as stacks of “My Personal Best” filled the
bookcases.
And what is Wooden’s personal best?
“It’s making the effort to do the best you can,
accept the things you can’t control, and don’t let them
interfere with the things you can control,” he said.