Hamilton College Professor Remembers Spending A Day With Muhammad Ali

Unusual things can happen when you answer the studio line at Big Frog. On a recent Saturday I had about 90 seconds before we hit a 'live shot' from the grand opening of a new Stewart's location. Thinking it was going to be a request or someone wanting send out a birthday wish, I answered. What I got was something completely different.

Hamilton College Music Professor, Mike Woods was on the other end of the phone that day. News had broke the previous evening about the passing of Muhammad Ali. And more than wanting to talk about the passing of the legend, it was like he needed to talk about it. To tell the story of the man who was far more than "The Greatest" boxer of all time. What is detailed in the videos below, is how a 12 year old boy growing up in the midst of the greatest racial unrest in US History found a "champion." Found someone with so much courage that it would change the Professor into another, "Human Being." Would one day lead him to seek out that voice in person

Professor Woods gets his first impressions of Ali at the lead up to famed 1964 Sonny Liston - (then known as) Cassius Clay fight. He was a mere 12 years old, but it would impact him as man.

He was so moved by what he was hearing from Ali, that Professor Woods needed to meet him. When he found out 'The Champ" was training in nearby Pennsylvania, a road trip ensued.

While Ali was well known for his poems about opponents and his rhyming. There was one particular quote that has stayed with Professor Woods.

He has many more Ali stories, including; what prompted him to throw away his Olympic gold medal, watching him spar in person and the untold acts of kindness. If you're like me and could listen to the Professor's stories all day, you can watch our full uncut interview at Big Frog's Youtube channel.