As some of you know, I’m a major Duke University basketball fan (and proud alum – Trinity, Class of ‘67). When I was there as a student, Vic Bubas was the basketball coach, and I learned about big-time college basketball for the first time. My freshman year, Duke was highly favored to do well in the NCAA tournament. Jeff Mullins was our All-American. In the semi-finals, we came up against a team from UCLA whose star player was Walt Hazzard. As it turned out, both players fouled out, and UCLA took the game on the incredible play of a freshman named Kenny Washington. That was the first of many disappointments for us Duke fans. And, it was the first time I heard the name John Wooden.

The legendary coach went on to win TEN national championships, including 7 straight and 3 perfect unbeaten seasons. Former Kentucky Coach Adolf Rupp and current Duke Coach Mike Kzryzewski are tied in second place with a measly 4 national titles each. But John Wooden was much more than a great coach. He was a genuinely humble man. A great teacher and leader. The John R. Wooden Award, named in his honor, is given annually to the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball players. He was the Vince Lombardi of college basketball. Coach Wooden passed away at the age of 99 yesterday. Here’s what Coach K, no slouch in the teaching and leadership department himself, had to say about John Wooden:

“Quite likely, his accomplishments as a college basketball coach will never be matched. Neither will the impact he had on his players or the greater basketball community. Many have called Coach Wooden the ‘gold standard’ of coaches. I believe he was the ‘gold standard’ of people and carried himself with uncommon grace, dignity and humility. Coach Wooden’s name is synonymous with excellence, and deservedly so. He was one of the great leaders — in any profession — of his generation.” — Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski

And here’s what the incomparable Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (known as Lew Alcindor in his UCLA days) had to say:

“It’s kind of hard to talk about Coach Wooden simply, because he was a complex man. But he taught in a very simple way. He just used sports as a means to teach us how to apply ourselves to any situation. He set quite an example. He was more like a parent than a coach. He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian. We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over. He wouldn’t let us do that.” — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

What does any of this have to do with Internet marketing? Everything. You see, leadership is about character. It’s not about six-figure incomes or flashy sports cars. It’s not about how many Twitter followers or Facebook friends/fans you have. It’s about whether or not you are adding value to those whose ears you have at the moment – your audience. Will your message come across as just a tinny sales pitch, or will those who hear your voice walk away changed forever? That’s the difference between a true market leader and a pitchman. RIP, Coach Wooden. You inspired us all.

Dr. Dick — June 5, 2010