Perpetual Motion
Pat Williams is always on the move...to his next project or adventure
Always a competitor, Pat Williams is still ready to race. As he pours on the steam to wring out every ounce of life as he can, he's busy lacing up his sneakers for another milestone.
"I have my 66th birthday on May 3rd and I'm off this Sunday to run the Boston Marathon -- for the eleventh time!" he crows. "Life is so full for me -- I'm doing what I can to drain the cup dry. I'm denying the aging process."
Speaking with the energy of a small power plant, Williams races on fast and furiously as he tries to recount the activities swirling around him. From as many as 15 speaking engagements a month to family life to weekends with sports legends and a full slate of other athletic, artistic and business endeavors, Williams' clock is always set in fast forward. Just look at his bookshelf. With more than 25 humorous and motivational books under his belt, and "The Warrior Within" scheduled for release, he's especially pleased with the latest installment in his "How To Be Like..." series. Having covered a range of influential, dynamic, inspirational and diverse leaders such as Jackie Robinson, Jesus and Walt Disney, Williams recently completed his profile of UCLA basketball coaching legend John Wooden, the winner of 10 national championships in 12 years.
"I've spent the last five years working on this book," Williams says. "After he gave me his blessing, I conducted 840 interviews trying to get to the bottom of this remarkable man.
"When you think of great American heroes, men who have had great success and have lived their lives correctly, there are not a whole lot that are more intriguing than John Wooden. I had to profile someone like him," continues Williams, "because when you make the commitment to immerse yourself in the lives of these people, you'd better be fascinated and intrigued by them or you won't have the zeal to do the job right."
Williams is pleased to report that, at 95, Coach Wooden is living in Encino, California, and is still as sharp as a tack.
Likewise, Williams is still on top of his game. Heading to Tampa recently, he participated in "Yankee Dream Week," a fantasy baseball camp. Having spent four years as a catcher for Wake Forest University and two years playing pro ball, Williams put on his glove, pulled down his mask and headed for home plate.
"None of the old guys wanted to squat that long," laughs Williams. "A bunch of old Yankees were there -- Tommy John, Mickey Rivers and Oscar Gamble to Tom Tresh and Fritz Peterson. We had a wonderful time."
While Williams has the amazing ability to sound and act eternally young, occasionally he'll look back a few years and marvel at where the time has gone. It's been 20 years since he moved to Orlando in his quest to bring an NBA expansion team to town.
"I'm staggered to think back 20 years and realize then there was no Universal, no Downtown Disney, no arena, no huge airport, no big convention center, no skyline ... It's been staggering!"
Just like his life.
This story originally appeared in the May issue of Magic Magazine. Get your favorite Magic fan a subscription to Magic Magazine! To subscribe call 1-877-841-7070 or e-mail subscription.service@skies.com and specify you want Magic Magazine. A one-year subscription is $18.95 and two-year is just $24.95.
