Inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame: January 25, 2023
Mike Williams was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He attended college at Tulane in 1961 and graduated from USL in 1965 with a BS degree. At UL, he taught P.E. 210 weight lifting and isometrics for one semester in 1965.
Mike was part of the team that made history by the incredible achievements of the New Orleans Athletic Club, including their 1966 victory over the Mexican National Weightlifting Team, which was coached by the U. S. citizen Tommy Kono. This international victory in Mexico City was led by UL athletes Walter Imahara, who won his class, and Mike Williams, who set a new Mexican national record by pressing 230 pounds—bringing down the house. USL was especially proud of the international achievements of the 148-pound lifter. Mike was a very reliable member of the USL team from 1963-1965, the most victorious team in USL’s sports history. Mike was captain of the team for two years. He was a member of the 1966 National Collegiate Weightlifting Championship Team.
Mike had many innovative commercial enterprises including founder of Zacks Yogurt in 1975 and from 1980 to 2022, Owner/Operator of Fairchild’s Glad Glad Ice Cream Stand, Lakeside Shopping Center, Metairie, LA.
Mike Williams went on to compete for many years in cycling. He set a senior national record in the Hour Race competing in the 70-74 age category—and later in the race he went 158.6 laps averaging 39.65 mph. When he was 50 years old he competed in the Masters Cycling Division and set a world record for his age division in the velodrome in Manchester, England before a packed stadium. He lives in New Orleans with his wife Gwen.
