How John Wooden Touched the Lives of a Local Family: "We Called Him Coach"

The passing of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden last Friday brought back so many memories. I was 11 years old when he retired from coaching but have vivid memories of those exciting UCLA NCAA dynasty years. Leslie Ruttenberg, who I've befriended via Twitter, grew up in Agoura Hills with her family and graduated from Agoura High School. She moved eastward into the San Fernando Valley and about eight years ago had the good fortune to befriend Coach Wooden at a coffee shop in Tarzana.

In this touching essay, "We Called Him Coach," she describes Wooden's lasting impact on her family, and most notably, on her daughter.