DR. RICHARD LAPCHICK GRANTED AWARD IN HIS NAME
Last week, Pacific’s Director for the Center of Entrepreneurship, Sports, and Entertainment Dr. Marc Williams welcomed his long-time mentor, friend, and inspiration Dr. Richard Lapchick to Pacific University’s Forest Grove campus. Dr. Lapchick gave a talk on the power of sport to bring about positive social change. Additionally, Dr. Williams inaugurated the Dr. Richard Lapchick Humanitarian Medal for Service, which will be awarded yearly to a person who exemplifies courage in promoting humanitarian values, civil rights, social justice, and gender equity in the spirit of Dr. Lapchick’s career and life. In the week before Dr. Lapchick’s visit, The Index caught up with Dr. Williams to learn about his relationship with Dr. Lapchick and the inception of the award.
The Index: How do you and Dr. Richard Lapchick know one another?
Dr. Marc Williams: My junior year in college, I met him. I had to present my research at a conference, and he was the keynote speaker. I just asked, you know, could he come and hear me talk? I think seven or eight people came, and he was one of them. He sat in the front row, and he listened to my whole presentation. In my research, a lot of the studies were about him, his ideology. I knew about him because of all the work that he did in sports, which my father educated me on, and how much he cared about the black community and underserved communities as far as getting opportunities for us. So, he was one of our heroes. . . That day, he started his [keynote] speech and said, “I just came from a presentation where I think this young man is going to help change sports in America.” I mean, he said that about me. I [was] 27 years old and I was in tears. Then a few hours later, I had like 10 or 12 business cards from presidents and deans of colleges. . . And so, when I asked him to come [to Pacific], he had a look at his schedule, and he didn’t hesitate. . . I was surprised he was able to do this because he’s going to the Vatican right after!
The Index: What will Dr. Lapchick speak about, and what do you hope Pacific students will take away from the presentation?
MW: I hope they get a chance to understand humanity more. . . to have more empathy towards people, your fellow mankind and womankind. I hope they understand the importance of service and giving back to your culture and your community. I hope they appreciate the work that he has done for women, minorities, and the LGTBQ+ community as well. He just fights for civil rights for everybody. But he does it in sport. He’s like the Dr. King of the sports industry.
Lapchick’s father brought the first Black player in the NBA. Like why don’t we educate people on this? His father was also one of the first members of the Boston Celtics, so he grew up watching lots of injustice, lots of racism. So he decided that he wanted to do something different.
When Nelson Mandela heard about all the work he was doing [leading the American campaign to boycott South Africa in sport to protest Apartheid], Mandela invited Lapchick to his inauguration. Lapchick also attended Mandela’s funeral and made the toast at Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday. This guy is like, one of the greatest sports figures in the world. The fact that he’s going to be here is a big deal.
The Index: Away from his work, what is Dr. Lapchick like as a friend?
MW: He loves spending time with family, and he loves his kids. [His wife] Ann goes everywhere with him. He’s also really big on pop culture. He follows sports outside of sports, being critical in music and entertainment. It’s just interesting talking to him because he always cares about what’s happening to people and how you’re doing as a person.
The Index: You are presenting Dr. Lapchick with a new award?
MW: It’s going to be called the Dr. Richard Lapchick Humanitarian Medal for Service and Social Justice. He’s been given so many awards, but he’s never been given an award in his name. So let Pacific be the first school to do that. And every year he said he will come back and award it to somebody who exemplifies his life and work.
— Lane Johnson
Managing Editor
Major: English Literature
Hometown: Shedd, Oregon
Hobbies: cycling, reading, camping, xc skiing, hiking, backpacking
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