I Saw Love Once

When Coach Wooden recruited me to come to UCLA after I played two years of basketball at Cypress College, he warned me, the great Bill Walton was also coming in and he did not promise me playing time. What he did promise was, the experience of playing against the best team in the country and against the best center. Coach said, “With the body you have, and that experience, you will improve greatly and the pro scouts should give you a good look.” I believed him and signed my letter of intent.

Red Shirt

After a couple of practice weeks, Coach recommended I “red shirt” which means I would practice and not suit up for games, saving one year of eligibility; I was allowed five years of college to play four. That was disappointing, but I trusted Coach Wooden.

Walton was on the Freshman team. Freshmen were not allowed to play varsity in those days. I practiced against the varsity and its center, Steve Patterson. Occasionally, Walton came over to scrimmage against the first team which meant, I had to stand on the sidelines and watch. That was disappointing, yet I trusted Coach. (By the way; Walton more than held his own.)

1972 Olympic Trials

When Bill became a Sophomore and I a Junior, I practiced against him and the varsity every day. I was terrible but improving. I saw about two minutes per game of playing time, what they call, “garbage time.” My spirits were slumping.

 We won the championship again and at the end of the season, Coach Wooden surprised me. The Olympic Committee refused to let Bill Walton on the team because Bill requested limited practice time due to his bad knees. So Coach asked the committee to let me try out. They agreed, and to everyone’s surprise, I led the trials in scoring and made the team. All pro scouts were there.

1973 Pizza Hut All-Star Game

We won the championship the next year as well but I played even fewer minutes than the year before. Shortly after the end of the season, Coach Wooden called me to this office and announced, the Pizza Hut company wanted me to play in their nationally-televised Pizza Hut All-Star Game which featured the top 24 seniors. I wasn’t one of them but somehow, Coach convinced them to let me in. I was MVP of the game, scoring 35 points and grabbing 26 rebounds. All the pro scouts were there.

When I stood at half court holding my trophy, it became clear; his promise was not “recruiting talk.” Coach Wooden cared deeply about me, deeply enough to keep his promise. To me, that was love.

  

I Saw Love Once

         By Swen Nater (for Coach Wooden on Christmas, 1998)

 

I saw love once, I saw it clear.

It had no leash; it had no fear.

 

It gave itself without a thought.

No reservation had it bought.

 

It seemed so free to demonstrate.

It seemed obsessed to orchestrate,

 

A symphony, designed to feed,

Composed to lift the one in need.

 

Concern for others was its goal,

No matter what would be the toll.

 

It’s strange just how much care it stores,

To recognize its neighbor’s sores,

 

And doesn’t rest until the day,

It’s helped to take those sores away.

 

Its joy retains and does not run,

Until the blessing’s job is done.

 

I saw love once; ‘twas not pretend.

He was my coach; he is my friend.