Pyramid Tribute: Industriousness, Scott Garson (Asst. Coach - UCLA)
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Known as a tireless worker
with great energy, Garson has helped the Bruins achieve a high
level of success since his arrival in 2004. As part of a
staff which led the Bruins to three consecutive Final Four
appearances between 2006-08, Garson's impact has been profound on
the recruiting trail, as he has guided numerous blue
chippers to Pauley Pavilion.
Prior to arriving at UCLA, Garson spent five years under Rick
Majerus at Utah, coaching the eventual No. 1 pick in the 2005 NBA
Draft, Andrew Bogut. Once in Westwood, Garson
served as the video coordinator before being promoted to
assistant coach after two seasons. His on-court focus is
primarily upon mentoring the UCLA perimeter players, but he's
equally as engaged off the court, where he is heavily involved
in monitoring the academic affairs of the student-athletes.
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Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success begins with the first cornerstone called Industriousness. The most important aspect in becoming the best that you are capable of becoming is working hard. As Coach Wooden would often say, “worthwhile things come only from work.”
I first heard the word Industriousness from my father, a 1969
graduate of UCLA, who shared with me the Pyramid of Success and
sent me to the John Wooden Basketball Camps at Cal Lutheran
University in the early-1980’s. That word has since
become the key to success for me. Hard work is something of
which we’re all capable, no matter our talent level.
Personally, I was never given an easy path to the college coaching
profession. I am not a former Division One athlete and I
did not have any family/friends in the profession. I like to
attribute the opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to
have thus far to a willingness to work hard.
As coaches, we are always telling our players how important practice habits are, along with the ability to work as hard in each and every drill within practice. By approaching the game this way, they create a separation between themselves and others who do not put in that time. They also create a team environment where less talented players work just as hard to keep up with them.
We have had some great examples of Industriousness at UCLA during my time, but none greater than Arron Afflalo and Russell Westbrook. Arron was often found in the weight room or gym in the middle of the night, knowing that if he wasn’t working, someone else was. For Russell, his summer between his freshman and sophomore seasons has become somewhat legendary around our campus, where he never missed an opportunity to work on his game.
The best part of being on the UCLA basketball staff over the past six years has been developing a personal relationship with Coach Wooden, a man more principled and wise than anyone I have known. The best way to describe being in his presence is that the moment you leave him, you always feel inspired to do more for others, work harder, and simply live each day as a better person. We all miss him dearly, but at the same time we will continue to strive for success in our lives though his cornerstone of Industriousness.
- Scott Garson
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