DOCSLIB.ORG

John Wooden: Lessons Learned from a Legendary Teacher-Coach

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
John Wooden: Lessons Learned from a Legendary Teacher-Coach Vol. 8, No. 1 / 2006 The Newsletter for Tennis Coaches High-Performance John Wooden: Lessons Learned from a Legendary Teacher-Coach Daniel Gould, Professor and Director, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Michigan State University; Vice Chair, USTA Sport Science Committee ost coaches know of John Wooden, the UCLA psychology professor and head of the legendary UCLA basketball coach International Center for Talent Development, who, over 27 years, guided his teams hosts a John Wooden Day each year where M ASUCLA Photography to a record 10 NCAA Basketball Championships, 95-year-old Coach Wooden attends her sport four perfect 30-0 seasons and was named psychology class, lectures on his famed pyramid ESPN’s greatest coach of the 20th century. But of success, has lunch with a small group of what may be even more amazing than Wooden’s faculty and visitors, and then answers several highly successful record on the court were his hours of questions from students, faculty and many accomplishments off it. Almost all of his visitors. Dr. Scanlan invited me to attend this players graduated, and today these players talk year, and I was able to spend most of the day more about the life lessons Wooden taught listening to and taking part in small group chats them than their All-American status and with Coach Wooden. national championship teams. Wooden was I had read about Coach Wooden and how he known for his impeccable record of sportsman- developed people as much as players, but now ship and was even named California Father (and that I met him I realize it was not just rhetoric. later, Grandfather) of the Year. Finally, he won He has life on and off the court figured out the Bellamine medal for humanitarian efforts, pretty well. Coach Wooden gets at the essence the only sports figure ever to do so, joining of things and is a great example of how a notable honorees including Mother Teresa. personal philosophy can be used to guide one’s Given everything I had heard about Coach coaching and personal life. A humble man, you Wooden, I recently jumped at the chance to fly would know little of his many accomplishments to Los Angeles to meet him. Dr. Tara Scanlan, from talking to him. However, by listening care- fully you can garner considerable wisdom. Coach John Wooden, known for values and sportsmanship as well as championship teams. Having a Philosophy of Coaching In This Issue Really Matters with a B as long as you performed to your potential. This made him think about the Dear Coach 2 Coach Wooden’s now famous Values, Victory peace of mind that comes from the satisfaction and Peace of Mind Pyramid of Success model of working up to your own level of ability. Over USTA Player Development News 3 formed the philosophical basis of his coaching the next 14 years, he developed a model to The Slice Backhand 5 and life. This model was initially developed guide his thinking about what it would take to when Wooden was a high school English develop this peace of mind in his students and What’s New in Sport Science and teacher and became frustrated because some athletes. For example, he indicated that any Coaching Education 10 parents could not understand why their pyramid needs a strong foundation, and a children did not get As. This troubled Coach strong foundation starts with well-anchored Sport Science Injury Tracking Wooden as he felt the students were working to Research Project 11 the best of their ability and nothing was wrong continued on page 4 continued from page 4 John Wooden: Lessons Learned How do you keep a highly successful team motivated? • We must recognize that we are imperfect and will make • You must stress that players need to live in the present. mistakes. Both coaches and players must learn this. They can learn from the past, but must live in the present. • It is very important to give ‘condensed’ feedback. It is easy • Players must keep on an even keel. They must recognize to say too much as a coach; this is a common mistake. that today is all that matters. They also must learn to • When I coached, I held a rolled up program with reminder make sure that the valleys are not too low and the peaks notes on it. For example, I always had notes on the oppo- are not too high. nents’ good versus poor free throw shooters so I could How did you help your players control stress? refer to those during the game. • First, you need to control yourself as a coach. • To be successful, your players must learn to execute • You must instill confidence in your players. fundamentals quickly. • Recognize individual differences and coach accordingly. • I felt some of my teams that won the conference were more successful than other teams of mine who won the NCAA How did you handle team rules? tournament. Why? They played closer to their potential. • I only had three rules: (1) be on time (I was a stickler about that); (2) no use of profanity whatsoever; and (3) • Never criticize your players in front of the team. never criticize a teammate. • The great football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg was asked, “Is • While I had three rules, I was careful not to identify this your most successful season?” Coach Stagg answered, specific penalties for breaking them. However, there were “I will tell you in 30 years.” I remembered that. Changing always consequences for rule infractions. lives matters most. • Little things matter and attention to detail counts. For How do you teach confidence? example, putting on your socks the right way to prevent • As a coach, you must show confidence in your player. blisters or not having long hair cuts down on perspiration • Put them in pressure situations in practice so they can that might get on the ball. learn how to handle stress. • Be patient—good things require time to happen. How did you get players focused on academics? • I recruited players who put academics first. Final Thoughts • I studied incoming players’ transcripts before they got to At 95, Coach Wooden is exceptionally perceptive and at campus and got them help and support early. times quite funny. I can only imagine what he was like in his • I stressed the fact that academics count. younger years. While I did learn a great deal about coaching and the psychology of coaching from my day with Coach What are you most proud of in your career/life? Wooden, I left feeling that I learned more about life from a • All but two of my players graduated. man of great wisdom. I learned that this great teacher/coach • The close relationship I had with my players. won by putting the development of his players as people first • I graduated from Purdue with a medal for scholarly and genuinely felt that developing character and helping play- achievement. ers develop to their full potential was the most important thing in sport and life! We would all do well to model his lead. • My family—children and grandchildren. • I was the only sport person ever to get the Bellamine medal Note: Adapted from the article in Mentor, Vol. 2 (Issue 11), of excellence (Mother Teresa got it the year before). Mother pages 6-7, 2005. Teresa is my hero, and I received the same medal as her. Read More about Coach Wooden Guidelines and Core Principles Worth Johnson, N. L. (2000). The John Wooden Pyramid of Success: The Remembering Authorized Biography, Philosophy and Ultimate Guide to Life, Leadership, Friendship and Love of the Greatest Coach in the • Adversity makes you stronger when you accept it and learn History of Sports. Los Angeles, CA: Cool Titles. from it. Wooden, J., & Jamison, S. (1997). Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations • The biggest job of the coach is to get individual player goals and Reflections On and Off the Court. New York, NY: Contemporary to mesh with team goals. Books. THE USTA NEWSLETTER FOR TENNIS COACHES Vol. 8, No. 1 / 2006 9.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Men's Basketball Coaching Records
    MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING RECORDS Overall Coaching Records 2 NCAA Division I Coaching Records 4 Coaching Honors 31 Division II Coaching Records 36 Division III Coaching Records 39 ALL-DIVISIONS COACHING RECORDS Some of the won-lost records included in this coaches section Coach (Alma Mater), Schools, Tenure Yrs. WonLost Pct. have been adjusted because of action by the NCAA Committee 26. Thad Matta (Butler 1990) Butler 2001, Xavier 15 401 125 .762 on Infractions to forfeit or vacate particular regular-season 2002-04, Ohio St. 2005-15* games or vacate particular NCAA tournament games. 27. Torchy Clark (Marquette 1951) UCF 1970-83 14 268 84 .761 28. Vic Bubas (North Carolina St. 1951) Duke 10 213 67 .761 1960-69 COACHES BY WINNING PERCENT- 29. Ron Niekamp (Miami (OH) 1972) Findlay 26 589 185 .761 1986-11 AGE 30. Ray Harper (Ky. Wesleyan 1985) Ky. 15 316 99 .761 Wesleyan 1997-05, Oklahoma City 2006- (This list includes all coaches with a minimum 10 head coaching 08, Western Ky. 2012-15* Seasons at NCAA schools regardless of classification.) 31. Mike Jones (Mississippi Col. 1975) Mississippi 16 330 104 .760 Col. 1989-02, 07-08 32. Lucias Mitchell (Jackson St. 1956) Alabama 15 325 103 .759 Coach (Alma Mater), Schools, Tenure Yrs. WonLost Pct. St. 1964-67, Kentucky St. 1968-75, Norfolk 1. Jim Crutchfield (West Virginia 1978) West 11 300 53 .850 St. 1979-81 Liberty 2005-15* 33. Harry Fisher (Columbia 1905) Fordham 1905, 16 189 60 .759 2. Clair Bee (Waynesburg 1925) Rider 1929-31, 21 412 88 .824 Columbia 1907, Army West Point 1907, LIU Brooklyn 1932-43, 46-51 Columbia 1908-10, St.
    [Show full text]
  • North Carolina Basketball Former Head Coach Dean Smith
    2001-2002 NORTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL FORMER HEAD COACH DEAN SMITH When ESPN’s award-winning Sports Century program in at least one of the two major polls four times (1982, selected the greatest coaches of the 20th Century, it came 1984, 1993 and 1994). to no surprise that Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith • Smith’s teams were also the dominant force in the was among the top seven of alltime. Smith joined other Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels under Smith had legends Red Auerbach, Bear Bryant, George Halas, Vince a record of 364-136 in ACC regular-season play, a winning Lombardi, John McGraw and John Wooden as the preem- percentage of .728. inent coaches in sports history. • The Tar Heels finished at least third in the ACC regu- Smith’s tenure as Carolina basketball coach from 1960- lar-season standings for 33 successive seasons. In that 97 is a record of remarkable consistency. In 36 seasons at span, Carolina finished first 17 times, second 11 times and UNC, Smith’s teams had a record of 879-254. His teams third five times. won more games than those of any other college coach in • In 36 years of ACC competition, Smith’s teams fin- history. ished in the conference’s upper division all but one time. However, that’s only the beginning of what his UNC That was in 1964, when UNC was fifth and had its only teams achieved. losing record in ACC regular-season play under Smith at • Under Smith, the Tar Heels won at least 20 games for 6-8.
    [Show full text]
  • Men's Basketball Coaching Records
    MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING RECORDS Overall Coaching Records 2 NCAA Division I Coaching Records 5 Coaching Honors 32 Division II Coaching Records 37 Division III Coaching Records 40 ALL-DIVISIONS COACHING RECORDS Some of the won-lost records included in this coaches section Coach (Alma Mater), Schools, Tenure Yrs. WonLost Pct. have been adjusted because of action by the NCAA Committee 26. Frank M. Keaney (Bates 1911) Rhode Island 28 401 124 .764 on Infractions to forfeit or vacate particular regular-season 1921-48 games or vacate particular NCAA tournament games. 27. Bo Ryan (Wilkes 1969) Wis.-Platteville 32 747 233 .762 1985-99, Milwaukee 2000-01, Wisconsin 2002-16 COACHES BY WINNING 28. Torchy Clark (Marquette 1951) UCF 1970-83 14 268 84 .761 29. Ron Niekamp (Miami (OH) 1972) Findlay 26 589 185 .761 PERCENTAGE 1986-11 30. Vic Bubas (NC State 1951) Duke 1960-69 10 213 67 .761 (This list includes all coaches with a minimum 10 head coaching 31. Mike Jones (Mississippi Col. 1975) Mississippi 16 330 104 .760 seasons at NCAA schools regardless of classification.) Col. 1989-02, 07-08 Coach (Alma Mater), Schools, Tenure 32. Lucias Mitchell (Jackson St. 1956) Alabama 15 325 103 .759 Yrs. WonLost Pct. St. 1964-67, Kentucky St. 1968-75, Norfolk 1. Jim Crutchfield (West Virginia 1978) West 14 375 71 .841 St. 1979-81 Liberty 2005-17, Nova Southeastern 18* 33. Harry Fisher (Columbia 1905) Fordham 1905, 16 189 60 .759 2. Josh Schertz (Fla. Atlantic 2000) Lincoln 19 266 55 .834 Columbia 1907, Army West Point 1907, Memorial 2009-18 Columbia 1908-10, St.
    [Show full text]
  • John Wooden and Family Was Published by the Indiana Historical Society in Their Journal THG: Connections
    In its original form, this two-part article about John Wooden and family was published by the Indiana Historical Society in their journal THG: Connections. Part 1 of the article appeared in the Spring/Sum- mer 2012 (Vol. 52) Issue of that journal, and Part 2 appeared in the Fall/Winter 2012 (Vol. 52) Issue. The article has been edited and reformatted for placement on this website. John Wooden A Revised Beginning, Part 1 Curtis H. Tomak, Joanne Raetz Stuttgen, and Norma J. Tomak 2012 John Robert Wooden, a native of Morgan County, Indiana, passed away on June 4, 2010, at the age of 99. He was an extraordinary individual whose advantageous mix of abilities, personal characteristics, family life, mentors, religious faith, and background in Indiana basketball enabled him to become an exemplary person and an exceedingly accomplished basketball player, coach, and teacher. As residents of Wooden’s hometown of Martinsville, Indiana, the authors have had a long-standing inter- est in him and his family. What we knew about the Woodens was derived from written materials, the media, local stories, and research. Over time it became apparent that accounts of Wooden’s early life frequently re- peated the same stories and contained a noticeable amount of inconsistent, inaccurate, and unsubstantiated information. As a result and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2010, we made a focused examination of the family history, trying to determine what was correct and what was incorrect, add details to the published stories, and discover previously unknown information. Our primary objective was to provide an accurate, documented, chronological narrative of the family’s history in Morgan County.
    [Show full text]
  • Pictured Aboved Are Two of UCLA's Greatest Basketball Figures – on The
    Pictured aboved are two of UCLA’s greatest basketball figures – on the left, Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) alongside the late head coach John R. Wooden. Alcindor helped lead UCLA to consecutive NCAA Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Coach Wooden served as the Bruins’ head coach from 1948-1975, helping UCLA win 10 NCAA Championships in his 24 years at the helm. 111 RETIRED JERSEY NUMBERS #25 GAIL GOODRICH Ceremony: Dec. 18, 2004 (Pauley Pavilion) When UCLA hosted Michigan on Dec. 18, 2004, Gail Goodrich has his No. 25 jersey number retired, becoming the school’s seventh men’s basketball player to achieve the honor. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Goodrich helped lead UCLA to its first two NCAA championships (1964, 1965). Notes on Gail Goodrich A three-year letterman (1963-65) under John Wooden, Goodrich was the leading scorer on UCLA’s first two NCAA Championship teams (1964, 1965) … as a senior co-captain (with Keith Erickson) and All-America selection in 1965, he averaged a team-leading 24.8 points … in the 1965 NCAA championship, his then-title game record 42 points led No. 2 UCLA to an 87-66 victory over No. 1 Michigan … as a junior, with backcourt teammate and senior Walt Hazzard, Goodrich was the leading scorer (21.5 ppg) on a team that recorded the school’s first perfect 30-0 record and first-ever NCAA title … a two-time NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team selection (1964, 1965) … finished his career as UCLA’s all-time leader scorer (1,690 points, now No.
    [Show full text]
  • Eric Swanson 1. Cast and Communicate Vision
    BEING AN EFFECTIVE TEAM COACH ERIC SWANSON Effective coaching is about changing the future. Every Every effective coach assumes at least two major coach is a coach because at some point in time he responsibilities. First a coach must develop the determined that he could make a difference for the individual talents and potential of each player destiny of a team and in the lives of individuals. He on the team. Secondly the coach must mold the has decided that through his influence, mentoring, individuals into a team so they can maximize their love and leadership, he can help people and groups of chances of winning. Everything that a coach does people be what they never thought they could become. revolves around these two responsibilities. As a Coaches believe that people and the future will be Local Leader, your job is much like that of a coach. better because of them. Your coaching revolves around developing others to be something and do something. You also must help them work together to maximize their effectiveness. What principles can we learn from the profession of coaching, which if applied to what we do, could make us more effective? What do effective coaches do? 1. CAST AND COMMUNICATE VISION Every successful coach is able to paint a picture that taps into the aspirations of those on the team--to As leaders of a campus ministry, we operate in four win the conference championship...a bowl game... roles--As a 1) Direction Setter, 2) Spokesperson, 3) the national championship. Coaches use every Change-Agent and 4) Coach.
    [Show full text]
  • ASSETCLASS Modern Asset Class Investing Principles, Research, and Perspectives for Long-Term Investors
    SM EQUIUS ASSETCLASS Modern asset class investing principles, research, and perspectives for long-term investors September 2017 Lessons from the Hardwood David Wootton, Equius Partners When people ask me now if I miss coaching UCLA basketball games, the national championships, the at- tention, the trophies, and everything that goes with them, I tell them this: I miss the practices. I don’t miss the games or the tournaments or all the other folderol. As Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, ‘It is better to travel hopefully than arrive.’— John Wooden, UCLA basketball coach from 1948 to 1975 We all have our passions. One of mine is The focus and discipline required to consistently basketball. achieve that level of success in any sport is very hard to exercise. And coaches are just as critical Growing up, I was all about the players. Steve as players. Wooden and Jackson were so Nash, longtime point guard for the Phoenix Suns, successful because they were dedicated to their was one of my favorites. His laser vision and distinct coaching philosophies and to the speed allowed him to slice through defenders like processes they each employed to prepare their a hot knife, ending in a precision pass and a players for competition. basket. I tried to emulate his game every time I touched a basketball. Lessons from the Indiana Rubber Man Today, I’m intrigued by coaches—the chess Before I headed off to UCLA, my parents gave me masters moving the pieces. John Wooden’s book, Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the John Wooden, whose legacy will be forever felt Court.
    [Show full text]
  • Description of the John Wooden Center
    DESCRIPTION OF THE JOHN WOODEN CENTER The John Wooden Center is a 125,600 square foot, two-story building. A separate 440 space two-level underground parking structure is below the facility which is operated and maintained by the University's Parking Service. The approximate construction cost of the original John Wooden Center was $8 million; total project cost including equipment, design fees, landscaping, etc., was approximately $9.6 million. Additionally, the North expansion which opened in 2001 was funded by a variety of campus sources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $9.9 million. In Spring 2004 an additional 33,000 square feet will be opening on the west side of the Center of which 13,000 will be assigned and managed by the John Wooden Center staff bringing the grand total to 159,000 square feet. The primary purpose of the John Wooden Center is to meet the needs of the UCLA campus community for indoor recreational activities. Additionally, the facility hosts numerous intercollegiate athletic programs and special events. The facility contains the following major components: 1) Collins Court - a 22,344 square foot hardwood floor gymnasium with three recreational basketball courts, one competition basketball/volleyball court and bleachers which accommodate 1808 spectators; 2) Pardee Gymnasium - a 10,440 square foot hardwood floor gymnasium with two recreational volleyball courts and six recreational badminton courts; 3) Yates Gymnasium - a 7,500 square foot room specifically designed as a gymnastic training facility; 4) Nine (9) Racquetball and two (2) Squash Courts; 5) Rock Climbing Wall – a 800 square foot climbing surface, 15 top ropes and padded floor; 6) Gold Room – 2,800 square foot hard wood floor romm designed for dance, fitness, and other exercise and activities 7) Blue Room – 2,750 square foor room with padded walls and matted flooring for martial arts, and other combatative exercise activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Coaching Styles: How They Can Help Manage and Motivate Librarians and Their Staff More Effectively
    2006-865: COACHING STYLES: HOW THEY CAN HELP MANAGE AND MOTIVATE LIBRARIANS AND THEIR STAFF MORE EFFECTIVELY Bruce Reid, Pennsylvania State University-Wilkes-Barre Bruce Reid is the Head Librarian at Penn State University, Wilkes-Barre campus. He has a B.S. degree in Business from Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and a Library Information degree from the University of Minnesota. His subject areas are Business, GIS applications, Telecommunications, and Land Surveying. Page 11.324.1 Page © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 +Coaching Styles: How They Can Help Manage and Motivate Librarians and Their Staffs More Effectively. Bruce Reid The Pennsylvania State University Nesbitt Library Wilkes-Barre Campus Lehman, PA. 18627 [email protected] ABSTRACT: Can the management styles of highly esteemed and successful college coaches, Joe Paterno, football coach at Penn State University, John Wooden, famed basketball coach at UCLA, Mike Krzyzewski, successful basketball coach at Duke University, and Herb Brooks, former hockey coach at the University of Minnesota and the Olympics, apply successfully to academic librarians and their staffs. Can library management and their staffs be positively affected by using their methods? Three principal factors that were fundamental to the success that characterized their coaching styles were discovered to be fundamental to, and consistent with each of their coaching programs. The three common factors are a strong core value system, excellent organizational skills, and a history of life-long mentoring. How these principles can assist and help motivate librarians and their staff is examined. INTRODUCTION: For years experts in many professions sought to export their management styles and organizational schemes to a demanding public.
    [Show full text]
  • Nine Top Coaches Selected for College Football
    Nine top coaches selected for College Football ‘88 Preview Nine prominent NCAA coaches Mike Archer, Louisiana State Uni- lege (Illinois), and Bob Stull, director of the American Football tion and dinner will cap the day’s and approximately 60 of the nation’s versity; Rich Brooks, University of University of Texas, El Paso. Coaches Association, also will be in activities. top sports writers will gather Feb- Oregon; Danny Ford, Clemson Uni- John D. Swofford, athletics di- attendance. NCAA Executive Director Ri- ruary 2 l-23 in Kansas City, Missou- versity; Pat Jones, Oklahoma State rector of the University of North Three panels of three coaches chard D. Schultz is scheduled to ri’s, Westin Crown Center to University; Dick MacPherson, Syr- Carolina, Chapel Hill, and chair of each will meet with the sportswriters address the sportswriters on the participate in the College Football acuse University; David McWilli- the NCAA Communications Com- throughout the first day of the pre- final day of the preview. ‘88 Preview. ams, University of Texas, Austin; mittee, will serve as moderator of view to discuss pertinent topics. Following are brief biographical Coaches attending the 12th an- George Perles, Michigan State Uni- the preview. Each coach also will be available sketches of the coaches selected for nual NCAA-sponsored preview are versity; Bob Reade, Augustana Col- Charles McClendon, executive for one-on-one interviews. A recep- See Nine, page 3 Official Publication of the National Collegiate Athletic Association February 10,1966, Volume 25 Number 6 Chnk Gobnwht TIteres Gmntz C. Vhf&n Stinger Pat Summttt Spotlight on Women’s Basketball is February- 18 Players and coaches from five of coach Chris Gobrecht and Lisa top players and coaches in women’s In 1981-1982, she led Cheyney to to the NCAA championship last the nation’s outstanding women’s Oriard of the University of Wash- basketball in a setting outside of the the runner-up spot in the NCAA season and earned coach-of-the- collegiate basketball programs will ington.
    [Show full text]
  • Ucla's Home Arena for Over Half a Century
    PAULEY PAVILION UCLA’S HOME ARENA FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY The building’s north side includes two large locker rooms with player lounges and one film UCLA will play its 52nd season in Pauley Pavilion in 2017-18, the sixth year since the arena room, primarily used by the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Other amenities for opened after undergoing a 33-month, $136-million renovation prior to the 2012-13 season. UCLA’s student-athletes include a sports medicine room, equipment room, storage space UCLA’s athletic teams vacated the building during the 2011-12 season, and the men’s and a multi-purpose workroom that serves as the media room during the basketball season. basketball team played its 18 “home” games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena (14 games) The Pavilion Club on the mezzanine of the same structure serves the campus for numerous and the Honda Center in Anaheim (four games). special events, while the building’s exterior showcases a marketplace on the south side and a beautifully landscaped plaza to the east (adjacent to UCLA’s Meyer and Renee Luskin The Bruins posted a 16-1 record at home in 2016-17, recording its highest per-game home Conference Center, which opened in August of 2016). attendance average (11,183) since the team’s 1995-96 campaign (11,872), the season after UCLA captured its record 11th NCAA Championship in April 1995. UCLA closed its 2016-17 UCLA dedicated the floor in Pauley Pavilion as “Nell and John Wooden Court” prior to a home schedule with sellouts in nine of its final 10 games in Pauley Pavilion.
    [Show full text]
  • National High School Hall of Fame
    National Federation of State High School Associations National High School Hall of Fame 30th Anniversary Commemorative Program 1982-2012 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS PO Box 690 • Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Phone: 317-972-6900 • Fax: 317.822.5700 www.nfhs.org A Celebration of 30 Years Anniversaries are a special time. They are a time to reflect and High school sports is a privilege, and it is a privilege like none to celebrate. And the 30th anniversary of the National High School other in the world. No other country has this framework of high Hall of Fame is a reason to celebrate – to celebrate what is good school sports opportunities within the school system – where sports about high school sports and activity programs in the United States. and other activities such as speech, debate and music truly are an extension of the classroom. It is on the playing fields and courts, and The National Federation of State High School Associations in the band and debate rooms, where young people gain valuable (NFHS) started the National High School Hall of Fame in 1982 to lessons such as teamwork, self-confidence, hard work, sportsman- honor those individuals whose achievements and contributions have ship and self-discipline that will impact them positively throughout been extraordinary, and through the first 30 classes we have been their lives. These valuable life lessons are not available through out- privileged to honor 398 special people – athletes, coaches, officials, of-school activities; they are what make high school sports in the administrators, those in the performing arts, as well as individuals United States special and unique.
    [Show full text]