The John R. Wooden Course

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Words of Wisdom: Coach Swen Nater's Blog

LITTLE LEAGUE, BIG LESSONS

March 9,2009

It was an unusually hot summer day in the Seattle area. The Little League game was already one hour along and it was still in the second inning. Parents and friends knew this was going to be a marathon; unskilled pitching resulted in walk after walk. But the fans fanned and the players played and the Ump, well I guess he umped. He had to be the one suffering most from the heat, dressed in black and bloated with padding. But he called it as he saw it, even though the bases always seemed to be loaded.

Compounding the situation, one of the fathers was loud and disorderly. Each time the umpire made a call in favor of his son’s team, he confirmed it. But every time a call was made the other way, he bombarded the umpire with familiar contemptible clichés such as, “Hey Ump: Do you need another pair of glasses?” and “I’ve got a rulebook for you—in Braille.”

The umpire bit his tongue for a little over three innings. Finally, he stood straight up, waved his arms, and said, “Time Out!” There was dead silence and, regardless of the heat, every player froze. The umpire took off his mask and walked soberly toward the opening in the chain-link fence that led to the bleachers. Jaws dropped and all eyes followed him as he began to ascend the weather-worn, wooden stands. The fans parted like the Red Sea leaving the father completely alone. The black-dressed Michelin Man casually seated himself next to the angry father and, for a long moment, said nothing. He only stared at the field.

Then he yelled, “Play ball!”
“What are you doing?” the father asked him.
“Well,” replied the umpire, “Apparently you think the game can be seen much better from here so I thought, ‘Maybe he’s right. In all fairness to the boys, perhaps I should call the game from the stands.’”

Instantly, levity ruled and everyone chuckled. Even the father had to laugh at himself as the two men respectfully shook hands. The game still lasted so long the grass needed mowing again, but somehow from that point on, no one minded.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the last time I checked, one of the main reasons we have youth sports is to use training and competition to help teach the fundamentals of a successful adult life. And, the last time I checked, there is no better teacher, negative or positive, than adult modeling.

No written word, no spoken plea
Can teach our youth what they should be,
Nor all the books on all the shelves;
It’s what the teachers are themselves.
Anonymous

Why did the umpire choose to resolve the issue the way he did? He easily could have reciprocated with an equal doze of verbal venom. But he saw the game from a completely “different perspective” than the father. I’m not referring to the geographical perspective. While the narrow-minded father was watching a game that he desperately wanted his son’s team to win, the umpire saw the game as an opportunity for taking young men one step further toward successful adulthood. He believed adult behavior played a major role in that process and was convinced, two adults yelling at each other would certainly not help the boys. Because of his perspective, the umpire had no choice but to resolve the issue in the civil way he did.

On a hot, summer day at a little baseball park in Seattle, the big world stopped for a moment as a very wise umpire moved himself from home plate to the stands so a father could move to a broader perspective. Because of what they witnessed, I’m guessing those boys were “impressed.” It may have been Little League, but it was a Big Lesson.

RECENT EVENTS

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Pacific Dental Services - October 18th, 2008 Lynn Guerin taught a one day John R. Wooden Course to 80 of Pacific Dental Services New Managers at the Irvine Training Facility. It was an inspiring day for everyone involved. Participants had the following to say:

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"I found this course to be more interesting than any I have ever been through. I am truly looking forward to taking the materials home to cover with my family. I felt the course was too short and I was left hungry for more. Thank you! "

"Very motivating and educational. Eye-opening and inspiring. Teaching values is important now more then ever. "

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May

San Diego District Attorney's Office - May 30th, 2008 Lynn Guerin taught a one day John R. Wooden Course to 120 DA's, Assistant DA's, Investigators and Management Support. Attendee Response

"Great Insight!!!"

"Good for everyone's daily life"

"People need to hear what Coach Wooden has to say"

"It's an excellent example how to live your life, and run your business"

March

Pacific Dental Services - March 15th, 2008 Lynn Guerin taught a one day John R. Wooden Course to 20 of Pacific Dental Services New Managers at the Arizona training facility.

October

Pacific Dental Services - October 27th, 2007 Lynn Guerin taught a one day John R. Wooden Course to 50 of Pacific Dental Services New Managers.

Attendee Testimonials

Very engaging, extremely motivating and inspirational, not just for the workplace, but also in your everyday life.
Clear life building skills shared that will benefit the individual taking the course, the team they lead and the business
I found this workshop to be very valuable to both my personal life and career to become a better manager/parent.
Awesome! Lynn is fantastic. Wish we had more time! Great tools to take back to our offices.
Should be a pre-req for marriage!

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September

Orange Grove Middle School - September 25th, 2007 Lynn Guerin speaks to the teachers of Orange Grove Middle School.

Great motivational strategies for teachers and students. Useful not only in the classroom, but in every day life. Would recommend to other schools.

It was a great opportunity to self evaluate. I learned some effective strategies to use with my students.

Very inspiring and entertaining! I felt I could really relate and use the ideas presented. Thank you!

April

West Covina High School - April 20th, 2007 Lynn Guerin speaks to the teachers of West Covina High School. WCHS is the former home of Coach Wooden's brother Cat Wooden who served as the principal for many years.
- Lynn, the Wooden Course was just what we needed to finish off the year on the right note. It was inspiring and practical. I hope to have you back in the future and have you spend a day with our staff. Brad Manning, Principal West Covina High School

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Chick-Fil-A - February 21st Coach Wooden speaks to over 3,200 Chick-Fil-A employees in Phoenix, AZ

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It brought our team together with fun and learning.
January
- In N Out Burger Team Camp - January 25th at the Sports Center in Anaheim - Coach Wooden, Swen Nater, Coach Craig Impleman and Lynn Guerin will deliver an executive team camp to In N Out Burger. This is In N Out Burgers third team camp.
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