The Orlando Magic introduced this week they’ll honor late co-founder Pat Williams by carrying a commemorative band that includes his initials on the left shoulder of the jerseys throughout the 2024-25 season, which ideas off on the Miami Warmth on Oct. 23.
Williams, who handed away in July on the age of 84 because of problems from viral pneumonia, performed two seasons of minor league baseball within the Philadelphia Phillies’ group earlier than becoming a member of their entrance workplace in 1964. He was named the Minor League Government of the 12 months in 1967.
Williams then spent greater than 4 many years within the NBA, serving as the final supervisor of the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers earlier than teaming up with native businessman Jimmy Hewitt to carry an enlargement franchise to Orlando in 1986.
The Magic made their debut in 1989, with Williams serving as their basic supervisor till 1996, when he was promoted to senior vp, a publish he held till retirement in 2019. It was at the moment he kickstarted efforts to carry a Main League Baseball franchise to Orlando.
“Pat Williams merely introduced magic to Orlando,” chairman Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins stated in an announcement following his dying. “His accomplishments will all the time be remembered. Armed with this ever-present optimism and unparalleled vitality, he was an unbelievable visionary who helped remodel the world of sports activities in a number of methods.
“From bringing the Magic to Orlando, to remodeling sports activities advertising and promotions, he was all the time forward of the curve. Pat ceaselessly modified the sports activities panorama in Orlando. He shined a lightweight on what those that referred to as Orlando dwelling already knew – that Central Florida was a wonderful place to reside, work and play. All of us owe him a debt of gratitude and he will definitely be missed, however by no means forgotten.”
Underneath Williams’ steering, his groups made 23 mixed playoff appearances and 5 NBA Finals apperarances, together with the 76ers’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1983. He additionally has an intensive teaching tree, which incorporates Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly and Matt Guokas.
Williams was honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2012 with the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Magic’s Corridor of Fame in 2014.
