Malachi Williams is a big Oregon sports fan, so it’s no surprise that after moving to Seattle, he felt compelled to return to the city where he went to school.
A current crowd host at Matthew Knight Arena, Williams has been around the Duck sports scene for awhile. Recently, he took the time to explain his role with Oregon athletics, reminisce about his favorite moments and talk about how crucial the students are to creating a memorable game experience.
How long have you done it for?
I did it for three seasons and then my wife and I moved to Seattle for a job opportunity. Then, when she got pregnant, we decided we wanted to move back. So this will be my fourth season — just not consecutive.
This is obviously a job you enjoy doing.
The biggest thing I enjoy about it is connecting with the students and the people in the community. I’m not from here. I’m from Portland, but I’ve been here since 1999. I’ve been able to connect with a lot of people during that time.
So being in front of the crowd is a part you enjoy?
I like interacting with the Pit Crew; they are such a vital part of the success of Matthew Knight Arena. We saw it with Baylor, when we had 2,500 students. When they are strong in numbers and energy, it makes a huge difference with the players. It adds a lot for me too. I feel like I have to be on my ‘A’ game when they are. And when the numbers are lower, the temperature of the building is a lot different.
Do you have a promotion that you like the most?
I like the ones where the students or kids are involved. The last one we had two college students, one middle schooler and an elementary school girl playing a game of bump. The elementary school girl beat the three older guys, and the crowd had the loudest reaction all night for her. So doing something like that. Because I know she will remember it, since when I was her age I would have too.
The students seem to be one of the best parts for you.
Without the students there is no arena, there is no basketball game or team, no donors, no ticket sales — all of these jobs are because there are students coming to the university to learn, to advance themselves. We forget that. I like involving them as much as possible.
Does it help that you were a part of the school as a student and mascot?
I would be in the Duck suit for the first half and I loved it so much that I would get out of the suit and let another mascot get in for the second. I would go stand next to the cheerleaders and the Pit Crew and go crazy for Luke [Jackson], Luke [Ridnour] and Freddy [Jones]. Because of that, I want to go crazy for Jordan Bell. When I see Chris Boucher running the baseline and Tyler Dorsey looking up, I’m thinking lob; I’m thinking this place is about to go berserk. That’s who I was and who I am now. I have a child and am married, but it’s part of me.
How long do you plan on doing this?
You know, I have a 10-month-old who might get to the point where he looks at me and says ‘Dad, you are goofy.’ Or maybe he will think it’s cool what his dad does. I will do it as long as the athletic department wants me to and as long as the students and student athletes like what I am doing.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur