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 identified to many basketball followers as “Girl Magic,” is to many generations of followers what present period celebrity Caitlyn Clark is to people who watch the WNBA as we speak. The 2-time girls’s nationwide champion of Outdated Dominion College was additionally part of the American workforce that took gold on the 1975 Pan-American Video games.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 workforce.
At present’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 12 months. Athletes of this period are lucky to have Lieberman as a mentor, and she or he loves being in that function.
“It’s in my DNA, that’s what makes me pleased,” she mentioned proudly. “I really like having the ability to encourage individuals.”
Mentoring From an Icon
Offering inspiration and steering comes naturally for the native of Brooklyn, NY, who had been wowing followers because the 1970’s. She additionally had an unbelievable mentor and idol of her personal due to the late and nice 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 linked all through the remainder of his life.
“He taught me to have intentionality with all the pieces I did,” she acknowledged. “That was why I performed at 39 and 50 within the WNBA.”
Lieberman continued to sit down below Ali’s studying tree as her personal legend grew. She utilized his teachings all through the years, together with being attentive to her health.
“He taught me that. I nonetheless eat clear and practice laborious. That’s simply who I’m.”
Simply as Ali did all through his profession and life, Lieberman pursues new objectives 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 substitute. Thanks partly to committing to “prehab” earlier than the surgical procedure, she was again within the gymnasium after 10 days, which shocked her docs and bodily therapists.
“I wish to work out with present day athletes like Dak (Prescott) and Zeke (Elliott) with the Cowboys,” Lieberman defined. The vitality and fervour 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 ultimately I bought to 33 inches,” she recalled. “After 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 communicate for themselves. One other testomony to her rising to a problem was when she was prominently featured in ESPN Journal’s Physique Concern. Her physique drew important consideration and
impressed many followers that flipped by way of the pages of the problem. Not dangerous for being 61 years outdated on the time.
“I wanted time to ensure all the pieces was in the precise location,” she acknowledged with fun. “I skilled laborious for that 12 months, lifting and operating.”
Lieberman has by no means been a stranger to the burden room and even skilled with girls’s bodybuilding legend Lynn Conkwright. The fireplace that fueled these legends are much like Lieberman’s, and she or he is utilizing hers to proceed coaching for one more potential goal.
Lieberman declared, “I might love for the prospect to do the Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit situation. 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 way of philanthropy. As nice a boxer as Ali was, his contribution to society is what stood him aside of others. Lieberman’s personal efforts by way of Nancy Lieberman Charities, which emphasizes on schooling and motivation to youth, have and continues to serve many.
Lieberman shared, “I simply needed 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 immediately below the steering of the award’s namesake just isn’t misplaced on her.
“He’s nonetheless my mentor for all times.”
A Particular Type 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 is not any stranger to Halls of Fame, however she acknowledged that this one is totally different as a result of it encompasses many sports activities and neighborhood service is each thought of 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 with no 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 properly.”
Whether or not it’s her greatness on the courtroom, inspiring phrases she shares, or different good deeds to learn others, Lieberman is dedicated to spreading a message as far and broad as doable.
“There are individuals out that suppose they’ll’t do one thing, and I wish to allow them to know that they’ll.”
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 Resort at Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV and is open for the general public to attend.
