Wake Forest Celebrates Life of Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Pat Williams
7/18/2024 4:36:00 PM | Baseball, Men's Basketball
The Wake Forest community is celebrating the life and mourning the loss of Pat Williams.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - One of Wake Forest's most successful former student-athletes, Pat Williams made an impact on the professional sports world with his innovative and energetic leadership, as well as touching the personal lives of countless individuals.
On the playing field, Williams served as a catcher on the 1960 and 1961 Wake Forest baseball teams, and the 1962 ACC Championship team. As a junior, Williams had a team-leading seven doubles to pace the Demon Deacons and lead the squad to the NCAA Tournament. He finished his junior campaign at a .308 clip in his finest year statistically and earned a brief career in professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Administration off the field was where he made his mark, as he quickly advanced from the position of business manager on the Class A level to that of president and general manager of the Spartanburg Phillies just three years after earning his degree from Wake Forest.
In 1968, Williams left baseball to become business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, beginning what became a marvelous career in one of the world's most profitable professional leagues.
Williams went on to become general manager of both the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks of the NBA before returning to the 76ers in 1974, where he rebuilt a struggling franchise into one of the league's finest. He constructed the team that won the NBA title in 1983.
While with the Bulls, Williams was credited with the investment in promotion that led to the creation of the iconic Benny the Bull; and before leaving the 76ers in 1986, Williams added now-NBA legend Charles Barkley to the organization.
He moved on to the newly-added Orlando Magic in 1987, as the president and general manager. Serving as the franchise's inaugural manager, Williams helped the Magic reach the 1995 NBA Finals by drafting Shaquille O'Neal and trading a draft pick for Penny Hardaway. The following year, he was promoted to senior vice president of the Magic.
During his tenure in the NBA, Williams led his teams to 23 NBA Playoffs and five NBA Finals. He won four NBA draft lotteries, including back-to-back winners in 1992 and 1993 and in 2004. Williams signed Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly, and Matt Guokas to their first professional coaching contracts. Nineteen of his former players have become NBA head coaches.
In April 2019, after a career that spanned more than 56 years, including 30-plus years with the Magic and 51 years in the NBA, Williams announced his retirement.
Williams was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2001. He won the DECA Entrepreneurial Spirit award at DECA's International Career Development Conference in 2011.
On February 24, 2012, Williams was announced as that year's winner of the John Bunn Award, presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for significant lifetime contributions to the sport. He formally received the award on September 6, the day before the induction ceremony for the Hall's 2012 class.
Quotes Remembering Pat Williams
Administration off the field was where he made his mark, as he quickly advanced from the position of business manager on the Class A level to that of president and general manager of the Spartanburg Phillies just three years after earning his degree from Wake Forest.
In 1968, Williams left baseball to become business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, beginning what became a marvelous career in one of the world's most profitable professional leagues.
Williams went on to become general manager of both the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks of the NBA before returning to the 76ers in 1974, where he rebuilt a struggling franchise into one of the league's finest. He constructed the team that won the NBA title in 1983.
While with the Bulls, Williams was credited with the investment in promotion that led to the creation of the iconic Benny the Bull; and before leaving the 76ers in 1986, Williams added now-NBA legend Charles Barkley to the organization.
He moved on to the newly-added Orlando Magic in 1987, as the president and general manager. Serving as the franchise's inaugural manager, Williams helped the Magic reach the 1995 NBA Finals by drafting Shaquille O'Neal and trading a draft pick for Penny Hardaway. The following year, he was promoted to senior vice president of the Magic.
During his tenure in the NBA, Williams led his teams to 23 NBA Playoffs and five NBA Finals. He won four NBA draft lotteries, including back-to-back winners in 1992 and 1993 and in 2004. Williams signed Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly, and Matt Guokas to their first professional coaching contracts. Nineteen of his former players have become NBA head coaches.
In April 2019, after a career that spanned more than 56 years, including 30-plus years with the Magic and 51 years in the NBA, Williams announced his retirement.
Williams was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2001. He won the DECA Entrepreneurial Spirit award at DECA's International Career Development Conference in 2011.
On February 24, 2012, Williams was announced as that year's winner of the John Bunn Award, presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for significant lifetime contributions to the sport. He formally received the award on September 6, the day before the induction ceremony for the Hall's 2012 class.
Quotes Remembering Pat Williams
- Dave Odom – Wake Forest Hall of Fame member (2009) and former Wake Forest Men's Basketball Head Coach (1989-2001):
- "As a coach at Wake Forest during the 1990s as we were both building championship-caliber programs with our respective teams, Pat's dedication to excellence and his relentless pursuit of greatness resonated deeply with me and countless others in the basketball community. His leadership with the Orlando Magic and all the other organizations he worked with mirrored the values of integrity and passion that we strived to instill in our athletes here at Wake Forest. Pat's impact on the game transcended boundaries, leaving an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations of players and coaches. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as we remember and honor his remarkable life."
- ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D.:
- "Pat Williams leaves a tremendous legacy and was a fantastic role model and leader. He was a proud graduate of Wake Forest, and his energy and vision made an indelible mark throughout his stops in the NBA and particularly with the Orlando Magic and the city of Orlando. The ACC sends its deepest condolences to the Williams family and friends."
- Wake Forest Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Forbes:
- "My favorite NBA team growing up was the Philadelphia 76ers and my favorite NBA player was Julius Erving. Pat Williams was responsible for bringing Dr. J to the 76ers and, under his leadership and guidance, Pat brought an NBA title to Philadelphia in 1983 – my senior year of high school. I followed Pat from there during his long and successful tenure with the Orlando Magic. My sincere condolences to the Williams family. I want to personally thank Pat for providing me with so many great NBA memories growing up a Sixers fan."
- Wake Forest Head Baseball Coach Tom Walter:
- "As head baseball coach at Wake Forest, I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Williams. He was not only an esteemed alumnus of our program but also a distinguished member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. Pat's influence on the world of sports, particularly in the NBA, was inspiring. With that, his dedication to excellence and leadership was profound to all he had had relationships with. Personally, I'm grateful for the tremendous relationship we forged over the years. His impact on our university and beyond will be remembered and cherished forever."
- Former Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman (1992-2019):
- "I was deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Williams. He was not only a cherished member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, but also a valued friend. I am grateful to have known him for the last 25 years. Pat always found a project to do that would help his community. The last few years he has been working to bring a major league baseball franchise to Orlando. Only Pat could achieve that lofty goal. Pat's passion for basketball, coupled with his unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence, left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His legacy at Wake Forest and in the NBA will endure as a testament to his remarkable character. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
- Wake Forest Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Pat Williams was a tremendous leader and a visionary who impacted thousands of lives throughout his remarkable career, and he was a beloved member of the Wake Forest community. His influence on our university and the NBA was immense, reflecting his deep-seated passion for the game and his unwavering commitment to excellence. Pat's leadership, wisdom, and infectious enthusiasm left an indelible mark on countless lives. We mourn his passing while celebrating the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind. Our hearts go out to his loved ones as we honor and remember his remarkable contributions."
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