Friend of Muhammad Ali recalls lessons learned from champ

RICHMOND, Ind. (WISH) – As the world prepares to say goodbye to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, one of his closest friends is recalling their years together.

“He was the people’s champ. He was a common man for a global leader,” said Nancy Lieberman, the Sacramento Kings assistant coach. “I fell in love with his passion, his vision and when I actually met him at 19-20 years old, I was overwhelmed.”

Nancy Lieberman first met Ali back in 1979 when the two Olympians made a joint appearance at the New York Stock Exchange.

Lieberman said despite her career achievements, her greatest accomplishment is her charity work. She says she learned that from Ali.

“My legacy will never be about the shots I made or championships. Muhammad’s legacy is not about knocking out Liston, it’s about what he did after that and the humanitarian that he is,” she said.

Leiberman was in Richmond Monday afternoon to dedicate the new basketball court at Clear Creek Park.

Lieberman founded Nancy Lieberman Charities, and since 2010 they’ve dedicated 25 basketball courts around the country.

“It’s exactly what Muhammad says, service to others is the rent you pay for your time here on earth,” she said.

The court in Richmond is named after Del Harris.

The Plainfield native is a three-time NBA head coach for the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Early in his career he coached at Earlham College.

“To have your name attached to anything that substantial like this is not something you expect in your life,” said Harris.

For Lieberman, she said the court is full circle for her.

“He (Ali) told to respect everybody but fear nobody, to be on the plus side of good and to help people,” she said.