In 1948, I began coaching basketball at UCLA. Each hour of practice we worked very hard. Each day we worked very hard. Each week we worked very hard. Each season we worked very hard. Four fourteen years we worked very hard and didn't win a national championship. However, a national championship was won in the fifteenth year. Another in the sixteenth. And eight more in the following ten years.

Too many people look on outscoring someone as winning, I never tried to get that across to my players.

You are no better than anyone else and no one is better than you.

Being yourself; not acting. You therefore can function near your own level of competence. Satisfy you own expectations rather than those of others.

While you, the leader, can teach many things, character is not taught easily to adults who arrive at your desk lacking it. Be cautious about taking on reclamation projects regardless of the talent they may possess. Have the courage to make character count among the qualities you seek in others.

First be the best and then be first

Team spirit means you are willing to sacrifice personal considerations for the welfare of all. That defines a team player.