The Player John Wooden was a fabulous player before becoming the most successful coach in college basketball history. He enjoyed an All-State career at Martinsville High School, and at Purdue University was called the "Indiana Rubber Man" for his suicidal dives on the court. An excellent play maker and aggressive defender, Wooden was a three-time Helms Athletic Foundation All-America and named College Player of the Year in 1932, the year he and fellow Hall of Famer Charles "Stretch" Murphy led Purdue to the national championship.  Wooden studied the game intensely under Hall of Fame coach Ward "Piggy" Lambert.  Wooden, who cites Lambert as being his greatest coaching influence, enjoyed a brief but successful semi-pro career before turning his complete attention to coaching.

The Coach The John Wooden-coached UCLA teams scaled unprecedented heights that no future organization in any sport is likely to approach. Under the masterful guidance of Wooden, the Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 20 PAC 10 championships, and 10 national championships, including seven in a row.  As a matter of course, John Wooden was always learning and looking for ways to become the best. After graduation, Wooden pursued a career in coaching. He spent two years at Dayton (KY) High School and nine years at South Bend (IN) Central High School, compiling a 218-42 record. Wooden then coached at Indiana State University, where he recorded a two-year 44-15 mark.

Wooden's big break came in 1948, when he accepted the head coaching position at UCLA. Although he would not win his first national title until 15 years later, Wooden began laying the groundwork for what would become the dynasty of all dynasties. He believed in lengthy practices for conditioning and endless drills to perfect fundamental skills. Considered one of the finest teachers the game has ever seen, Wooden's approach rested on the idea that basketball is a game of threes: forward, guard, center; shoot, drive, pass; ball, you, man; conditioning, skill, teamwork. The latter was taught by coach Lambert at Purdue and forms the three blocks at the core of Wooden's own Pyramid of Success. The Pyramid is a well-known by-product of the Wooden coaching era. The principles outlined in it form the basis of Wooden's outlook on life and explain much of his success on and off the court. His ability to instill these principles upon his players made Wooden a master of developing talent.  In a highlight-filled career, Wooden's coaching genius was often challenged.

One such classic game was played on Jan. 20, 1968. Wooden's number-one-ranked Bruins, led by Alcindor, lost 71-69 to second-ranked University of Houston, led by Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. The first-ever televised collegiate game was a showcase for Wooden and college basketball. It was played before 52,693 raucous fans at the Houston Astrodome. Interestingly, on its way to the 1968 NCAA title, UCLA would avenge its loss to Houston in tournament action. John Wooden, a six-time Coach of the Year, dedicated his life to basketball. His perseverance and endurance was rewarded, as he is one of only two people enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

LYNN GUERIN, M.A.

President, Guerin Marketing Services Corporation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE In addition to leading the family owned marketing services firm, whose mission is to make a powerful impact on the businesses they serve and the lives they touch; helping clients and staff become the best they are capable of becoming in the marketplace and in life; Mr. Guerin specializes in assisting corporations in developing and implementing performance improvement systems that create market leadership. He combines broad experience in management, marketing, strategic planning, human resource development, quality education training systems, and business communication systems.

Mr. Guerin is an accomplished platform speaker, facilitator and motivator.  He led the conception, design and development of the John R. Wooden Course®. Mr. Guerin has served Infiniti since the inception of the division, and has been the lead facilitator for Infiniti New Dealer Training since January 2001.  Other Infiniti projects include the Infiniti Qx4 Power Premiere Program, Infiniti Retail New Product Launch Planner and Infiniti Middle East Training. He is currently working with Nissan on the Accessories Growth Project.  Other Nissan projects include Nissan Service Seminar, Nissan Sales & Service Satisfaction Facilitation, Nissan Field Managers Meeting, Nissan CSD Business Planning Development Meeting, and Nissan CSD Service Team Development.

Other recent projects completed by Mr. Guerin and the GMS team include efforts for Toyota, Southern California Edison, Pacific Dental Services, Los Angeles Firemen's Federal Credit Union, Kia, Hyundai Motor America, Del Mar Pacific Group and American Agencies.  Mr. Guerin has also developed and managed other major consulting, performance improvement, marketing communication programs for Mitsubishi, Mazda, Dial Corporation, IBM, General Motors, Unisys, Digital Equipment Corporation, General Electric, Harris Corporation, and Pitney Bowes.

QUALIFICATIONS Received B.A. in Liberal Arts and Business, and M.A. in International Studies from Western Michigan University.  He is also a member of the Society of Automotive Analysts, the National Society of Performance Instructors (NSPI), and American Society of Training and Development (ASTD). Mr. Guerin is also a founding member of New Harvest Community Church, in Irvine, California, where he serves as the Director of Men's Ministry, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Joni and Friends, the disability outreach ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada.

Guest FAculty

Jamaal Wilkes

Keith Erickson

 Ann-Meyers Drysdale

Andy Hill

Swen Nater

Craig Impelman