Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Mentors

Mentors, adults who provide direction and a good example, are very important to youngsters. I know this because I had three who were so important in my life.

Mr. Earl Warriner was my country grade-school principal, teacher, and coach back in Centerton, Indiana. From Mr. Warriner I learned that there are no “stars” or privileged individuals.

He would not compromise his principles for the sake of convenience, although he recognized the right of individuals to differ in their opinions on issues. And when he was wrong, he demonstrated that he was man enough to admit it without rationalization or alibi.

My Martinsville high-school coach, Mr. Glenn Curtis, had a tremendous talent for getting individuals and teams to rise to great heights, to ...