Coach Wooden speaks at Simi Valley High School

LIFE LESSONS-Kailey Pugh, 7, of Simi Valley, shares a secret with John Wooden at Simi Valley High School last Saturday. Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden spoke to a capacity crowd at Simi Valley High School's Multipurpose Room (MPR) last Saturday night.

The event and dinner was a joint fundraising effort between the school's basketball and baseball programs. In addition to Wooden's speech, there were live and silent auctions featuring an assortment of sports memorabilia.

According to Simi Valley head basketball coach Christian Aurand, the top item auctioned-an autographed Wooden basketball-fetched $1,700.

"It was an extremely successful evening for both programs," Aurand said.

Wooden has two greatgrandsons, Eric Bernstein and Tyler Trapani, who attend Simi Valley High. Bernstein plays for the Pioneer varsity baseball team. Trapani was a member of the frosh/soph basketball squad this past season.

Aurand said Coach Wooden agreed to speak as long as both programs his great-grandsons play for benefit.

"As a coach and a teacher, there's just no better person you can have, no better role model," said Aurand prior to Wooden's speech. "For our student-athletes to hear the message that he's going to bring, and for our community, it's an exciting thing.

"We're just extremely fortunate," Aurand said, "happy that he was so generous with his time."

Seating capacity in the MPR is 345. Aurand said they had no problem selling that many $30 tickets. "It's a complete sellout," he said.

Before taking the stage to a standing ovation, the 95-yearold Wooden visited with family and friends in a room adjacent to the MPR.

There he discussed a variety of topics, including the current state of men's college basketball, his dislike of the dunk and an upcoming novel.

Wooden, who posted an .813 winning percentage (885 wins, 203 losses) during a 40-year coaching career in the high school and college ranks, said he still prefers to watch women's college basketball more than the men's game.

"(Women) play the purist game," Wooden said. "They play below the rim. They're fundamentally sound and play a better team game."

UCLA's 10-time national championship winning coach has never been fond of players who put themselves above the team. He doesn't like chest pounding, me-first attitudes or rim-rattling dunks. "I've never liked the dunk. think it's showmanship," Wooden said. "I'm very much against showmanship. When I taught, I never allowed my players to dunk or dribble behind the back, unless they wanted to sit on the bench with me."

Wooden continues to be a regular at UCLA home games.

"We're playing fine defense," he said. "Defense in almost any sport is the first requisite for a championship."

Wooden said he enjoys watching all levels of basketball, although he doesn't attend NBA games.

"It's too much one-on-one, fancy stuff, showmanship," Wooden said. "It rocks the crowd, I know that."

The coach said he currently has a new book "in the works," but declined to discuss any details.

When he's not attending games, writing books or reading, Wooden said he keeps busy by spending time with his seven grandchildren

Soccer Club and 13 great-grandchildren.

"I like to spend time with my family whenever I can," he said.

Prior to Wooden's arrival on stage, the crowd buzzed with anticipation.

Autograph seekers clutched books hoping to land a signature, while others waited in line to bid on signed jerseys, basketballs and bats.

Matt Padavick, 13, of Simi Valley, held two books in his left arm as he shuffled through the food line.

"He's a great coach," Padavick said. "He had Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar."

Padavick's mom, Sharon, said her family couldn't bypass an opportunity to hear Wooden speak. "He's very inspirational," Sharon Padavick said. "Not only was he a good coach, but he teaches good life lessons, too. That's very important for the kids."

During his speech, Wooden discussed his Pyramid of Success-a step-by-step process he developed many years ago aimed at achieving competitive greatness. Afterwards, the coach fielded questions from audience members.

Simi Valley athletic director and head baseball coach Matt La Belle said the speech was well-received.

"There are people here from Royal," La Belle said. "There are people here from Thousand Oaks, from Chaminade. There are people from all different areas that came here to listen to his great message."