Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Catching up with Coach Wooden

I had the opportunity this week to speak briefly with former UCLA coach John Wooden. Our paths rarely cross, as my time is spent here at the U. campus. Coach Wooden, on the other hand, has become quite an accomplished harpist among the heavenly host these past two years. While I exist from one basketball game to the next, he has transcended to more pious concerns.

Still, he sure loves the Bruins. I saw him at the Huntsman Center as he was arriving to take in the game this week. Here's a bit of what transpired:

JGardner: Welcome to the Special Events Center, Coach. We are very proud of this fine facility. Do you have any fond memories about this building?

JWooden: Of course! In particular was a game I coached here in the early-seventies. It must have only been open for a couple years by that time. We were playing Long Beach State in the NCAA Tournament; a win meant a trip to the semi-finals in Houston. Jerry Tarkanian was still the coach for Long Beach and was turning them into quite a regional power. Although we were the national power during that era, Long Beach really gave us a fight. The game came down to just a couple points -- it was the closest we came to putting our championship streak in jeopardy.

JGardner: Yes, that was an unforgettable game. Your boys came back from eleven down to win. Can you recall any memorable UCLA-Utah games?

JWooden: Well, there was one way, way back. Except it wasn't played here -- it was down in LA for a holiday tournament. You'll remember it because you were Utah's coach at the time ...

JGardner: I know the one you're talking about ... and frankly, I was hoping you wouldn't bring it up ...

JWooden: Yes! It was a great game; not just because we won, but because of the way we won. We were the better team, if I may say so myself. But it didn't seem so in the first half. We simply couldn't shake Jerry Chambers and your other boys off our tail. And to make matters worse, our best scorer -- Gail Goodrich -- had four fouls at halftime and had to sit out.

JGardner: Oh, but that was just the first half ...

JWooden: True. The second half was a completely different story. We brought Kenny Washington in off the bench and he had the game of his life. Some other guys stepped up as well and allowed us to play our game. We went on an incredible run to start the second half and the rest was history. That second effort, without Gail, is what made the game so remarkable to me. It really helped our team build some cohesion.

JGardner: Yes, I remember it well. That's the year you won your first national championship, if I'm not mistaken.

JWooden: That's right. Now, it seems there was an element of revenge associated with that game. Didn't you beat us a few years earlier?

JGardner: Yes. It was the Los Angeles Tournament a couple years prior. We had one of our all-time best scorers at the time ...

JWooden: I remember! Billy the Hill!

JGardner: That's right! Billy McGill was on the team. He played a great game against West Virginia two nights before and had another scoring burst against you guys. He led us to a sizable lead before fouling out midway through the second half. But we played well enough without him to cruise to a comfortable win in the end.

JWooden: Indeed. How that kid could shoot! He probably scored 30 against us before fouling out!

JGardner: That sounds about right. Those were some great times and some great games. What do you think the chances are that this week's game will be just as memorable?

JWooden: No matter what, it will be a memorable one for me! This game; this arena; these teams ... it all really takes me back. Thanks for the chat, my good friend.

JGardner: The pleasure was all mine. We'll be sure to do it again sometime!

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