John Wooden: A Parent Talks to a Child Before the First Game
Below is passage from legendary coach John Wooden titled “A Parent Talks to a Child Before the First Game.” This is your first game, my child. I hope you win. I hope you win for your sake, not mine. Because winning’s nice. It’s a good feeling. Like the whole world is yours. But, it passes, this feeling. And what lasts is what you’ve learned. And what you learn about is life. That’s what sports is all about. Life. The whole thing is played but in an afternoon. The happiness of life. The miseries. The joys. The heartbreaks. There’s no telling what’ll turn up. There’s no telling whether they’ll toss you out in the first five minutes or whether you’ll stay for the long haul. There’s no telling how you’ll do. You might be a hero or you might be absolutely nothing. There’s just no telling. Too much depends on chance. On how the ball bounces. I’m not talking about the game, my child. I...