Pat Williams built an NBA Championship team in Philadelphia and drafted some of the games biggest names like Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard, Charles Barkley and Darryl Dawkins. But his biggest sports contribution came when he co-founded the Orlando Magic.
Williams has run 58 marathons, climbed Mt. Ranier, all while raising 19 children, including 14 adopted from four different nations.
Williams was in Appleton Tuesday to receive the “Nice Guy” award at the 48th annual Red Smith Sports Banquet.
Williams career started in baseball. He played for two seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization before moving into the front office for five years. To this day, Williams is a huge baseball fan, but he turned to basketball when the legendary Jack Ramsay gave Williams the opportunity to serve as the business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers.
At the age of 72, Williams is serving as the Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic. His team is starting over after sending Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a 4-team deal late last summer.
Colleague Justin Hull from WRN affiliates WSCO & WHBY Radio in Appleton caught up with Williams at the 48th Red Smith Sports Banquet in Appleton on Tuesday night.