What’s Up With Wooden?

The hype behind Mr. Coyner’s popular trademark is finally explained.

“We need Wooden.”

Strong words from Christian Brothers’ math teacher and lacrosse coach, Mr. Scott Coyner, who traditionally reads prayer from Wooden, an autobiographical reflection by Mr. John Wooden, the former UCLA basketball coach famous for leading the Bruins to 10 NCAA championships.

“[The book of Wooden] is more about how to live your life than it is about basketball,”  says the Statistics and Algebra II teacher. “Students are more apt to take [the message] to heart because he is a sports figure.”

“[The most important lesson in the book of Wooden is] that we must prepare for opportunities that haven’t arrived yet. If you wait until the opportunity is there, it is too late to prepare” says the popular staff member, who is starting his 16th year of teaching at Christian Brothers.

“[Wooden] speaks to what we do in the teaching world.”

Mr. Coyner’s students have grown to love Wooden, commonly chanting “more Wooden!” when a two-paragraph passage hasn’t fully satisfied their hunger for the messages of the famed coach.

In fact, Christian Brothers’ students have become so fired-up about the Bruins great that a Facebook page was created titled “Mr. Coyner Reading Wooden.” With over 200 “likes,” the book of Wooden has definitely “sprouted a life of its own” Coyner says.

“When Wooden trivia comes up I am always interested,” says the CB Assistant Lacrosse Coach of the book he received from his parents years ago. “There are some people who devote their lives [to Wooden]. I don’t want to say it’s a cult, but there is a strong following.

“I am a small fish in the Wooden world.”

Through the book of Wooden, Mr. Coyner has made daily prayer fun and created a trademark (and a fanclub) for himself at Christian Brothers High School.