One of many particular sights of the 2025 Olympia Weekend would be the Worldwide Sports activities Corridor of Fame induction ceremony. The ISHOF will induct six legends from a number of sports activities and disciplines, together with Determine Olympia champion Cydney Gillon, soccer nice Fred Biletnikoff, Grandmaster Invoice Wallace, famend agent Leigh Steinberg, Olympic shot-put gold medalist Ryan Crouser, and basketball icon Nancy Lieberman.
Lieberman, higher known to many basketball fans as “Lady Magic,” is to many generations of followers what present period celebrity Caitlyn Clark is to people who watch the WNBA in the present day. The 2-time girls’s nationwide champion of Outdated Dominion College was additionally part of the American crew that took gold on the 1975 Pan-American Video games. She added one other gold medal to her trophy case as part of the 1979 world championship crew.
At this time’s gamers profit from the groundwork that Lieberman helped construct for many years, together with taking part in in males’s leagues, the early days of the WNBA itself, and at the same time as an award-winning coach, together with as a two-time BIG3 Coach of the Yr. Athletes of this period are lucky to have Lieberman as a mentor, and she or he loves being in that position.
“It’s in my DNA, that’s what makes me comfortable,” she mentioned proudly. “I really like with the ability to encourage folks.”
Mentoring From an Icon
Offering inspiration and steerage comes naturally for the native of Brooklyn, NY, who had been wowing followers for the reason that 1970’s. She additionally had an unimaginable mentor and idol of her personal thanks to the late and great Muhammad Ali. Ever since Lieberman first met the three-time heavyweight champion of the world in New York Metropolis, he dedicated to serving to her navigate her rise to success, and so they stayed related all through the remainder of his life.
“He taught me to have intentionality with every part I did,” she acknowledged. “That was why I performed at 39 and 50 within the WNBA.”
Lieberman continued to take a seat below Ali’s studying tree as her personal legend grew. She utilized his teachings all through the years, together with taking note of her health.
“He taught me that. I nonetheless eat clear and practice onerous. That’s simply who I’m.”
Simply as Ali did all through his profession and life, Lieberman pursues new targets and challenges with full confidence she is going to succeed. That dedication to excellence was seen in full power by her docs whereas she was rehabbing from a knee alternative. Thanks partly to committing to “prehab” earlier than the surgical procedure, she was again within the health club after 10 days, which shocked her docs and bodily therapists.
“I need to work out with present day athletes like Dak (Prescott) and Zeke (Elliott) with the Cowboys,” Lieberman defined. The power and keenness they put into their exercises fueled her to maintain going and transcend early limitations. She even began doing field jumps and labored these into her coaching.
“I began out with 5, 10, and finally I obtained to 33 inches,” she recalled. “Once I confirmed the physician, he requested ‘what do I inform the opposite sufferers?’ I mentioned to inform them to work tougher.”
That self-competitiveness and drive are keys to her success, and the outcomes converse for themselves. One other testomony to her rising to a problem was when she was prominently featured in ESPN Journal’s Physique Subject. Her physique drew vital consideration and
impressed many followers that flipped by the pages of the difficulty. Not unhealthy for being 61 years outdated on the time.
“I wanted time to ensure every part was in the precise location,” she acknowledged with amusing. “I skilled onerous for that yr, lifting and working.”
Lieberman has by no means been a stranger to the load room and even skilled with girls’s bodybuilding legend Lynn Conkwright. The hearth that fueled these legends are just like Lieberman’s, and she or he is utilizing hers to proceed coaching for one more potential goal.
Lieberman declared, “I’d love for the prospect to do the Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit subject. I applaud Martha Stewart for that. If she will do it, so can I. All I would like is a chance.”
Paying It Ahead and Getting It Again
One other bond that Ali and Lieberman shared was by philanthropy. As nice a boxer as Ali was, his contribution to society is what stood him aside of others. Lieberman’s personal efforts by Nancy Lieberman Charities, which emphasizes on training and motivation to youth, have and continues to serve many.
Lieberman shared, “I simply wished to do issues the precise means for the precise causes, as a result of that’s what he taught me. I see myself as a neighborhood particular person.”
Paying it ahead has resulted in Lieberman’s efforts coming again to her full circle as a result of she was knowledgeable that she is going to obtain the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. To be honored for one of many very qualities she mastered instantly below the steerage of the award’s namesake isn’t misplaced on her.
“He’s nonetheless my mentor for all times.”
A Particular Sort of Corridor of Fame
Earlier than she accepts the Humanitarian Award, Lieberman will journey to Las Vegas, NV to face with the opposite 2025 inductees on the Worldwide Sports activities Corridor of Fame ceremony. Lieberman isn’t any stranger to Halls of Fame, however she acknowledged that this one is completely different as a result of it encompasses many sports activities and neighborhood service is each thought-about and acknowledged.
Apart from her personal second, witnessing the opposite inductees obtain their medals and listening to their speeches will present extra inspiration and positivity that may proceed to unfold lengthy after everybody leaves the room.
“I by no means take these without any consideration,” mentioned Lieberman. “That is particular to me not solely due to the way it honors the life and profession however well being and wellness as nicely.”
Whether or not it’s her greatness on the court docket, inspiring phrases she shares, or different good deeds to learn others, Lieberman is dedicated to spreading a message as far and vast as attainable.
“There are folks out that suppose they will’t do one thing, and I need to allow them to know that they will.”
The 2025 Worldwide Sports activities Corridor of Fame ceremony will happen on Saturday, Oct. eleventh from11:30 AM to 2:00 PM PST on the Conrad Lodge at Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV and is open for the general public to attend.
