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

Orange Peels, Pride, and Productivity

I frequently received letters from custodians after we played an away game telling me our basketball team had left the locker room neater and cleaner than anyone who had visited during the year. The towels were put in bins, soap was picked up off the shower floor, and so forth.

The locker rooms were clean when we departed because I asked the players to pick up after themselves. I believe this is just common courtesy. Somebody’s going to have to clean it up, and I see no reason why it shouldn’t be the person who messed it up. Are managers and custodians the players’ servants?

In basketball we often have orange slices or gum at the half. I see no reason why you should throw those orange peels or gum wrappers ...