Margaret Williams’ journey began and will probably end in Sidney, Ohio. Maggi Williams graduated from Sidney High School in 1973. This was at a time when girls sports were forming within athletic departments and these departments were beginning to schedule outside competitions. Title IX was signed into law in 1972 as an Education Amendment. This gave women athletes the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds. This law applied from elementary schools to colleges and universities.
Maggi may not have had the competition in high school but went on to excel in college athletics. She had a fine career playing with the Polar Bears at Ohio Northern University. This career included four letters each in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was a member of ONU’s first State Championship in softball. She was named Outstanding Major of the Year and Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1977. Maggi earned a bachelor’s degree I Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1977.
Seventeen years later, Maggi was inducted into the Ohio Northern University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. By 1990 Williams had established herself as an outstanding and respected girls head basketball coach at Sidney High School. Maggi won three district titles and eight conference titles.
Upon her graduation from ONU, Williams returned to Sidney and joined the staff at Sidney High School in 1978 as a health and physical education teacher. She taught in Sidney for over 35 years before retiring in 2013. She remained the associate athletic director at Sidney High School until 2021, a position she held for over 20 years.
Maggi received many county, league and district coaching honors. In 1992 she was named Ohio Division I Coach of the Year. She was a member of both the Ohio High School and District 9 Basketball Coaches Associations. Maggi also coached several AAU teams and District 9 All-Star teams. During her successful coaching career, Maggi pursued and obtained two post-secondary degrees in Education Administration from the University of Dayton.
Maggi retired from coaching in 1999 as she felt it was the right time. She worked another 22 years as associate athletic director. The 22 years extended well past her teaching retirement. During her time as assistant athletic director, she helped ensure that events ran smoothly, and visitors experienced a warm welcome.
As committed as she has been to her career in Sidney, Maggi has been equally committed to her community and her family. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church for 30 years and served on the board of trustees and as treasurer. Maggi is currently a member of Sidney First United Methodist Church. She has always been active and honored in the Sidney community and volunteered on various city and school committees. She was selected Adult Black Achiever of the year in 1991 and Outstanding African American Award in 2004. Maggi has always been grateful and thankful for every opportunity she had and the challenges and blessings that came with them. Maggi Williams has encouraged students, as well as family members, to be solid students, to excel, and always do your best.