FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com JUNE 16, 2016 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23 CUTLER’S LIGHTING Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES LAMP SHADE SALE 12 years from now, this LED bulb will still be saving you money. 10% OFF OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 SPRING BLAST SALE 30-50% OFF On yellow tagged items GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 Excludes Repairs, Refinishing, Rewiring. Exp. 6/30/16 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING BAYSIDE SPORTS PROMOTER REFLECTS ON LOSS OF MUHAMMAD ALI BY REGGIE DEBRAH editorial@qns.com/@QNS In his more than 20 years as a sports memorabilia show promoter, Bayside resident Stephen Hisler developed connections with a number of famous athletes—none more so than with the late Muhammad Ali. Hisler was among the millions of Ali’s fans around the world who mourned the recent passing of “The Greatest” earlier this month. In an interview with The Courier, Hisler recalled seeing a humble side of Ali in the boxing champ’s later years. He began to see what kind of person Ali was during their fi rst meeting. Hisler’s fi rst encounter with Ali was on the night before a show featuring Ali. After picking Ali up at the airport, Hisler took Ali to see the movie “X” which portrays Malcolm X, who was a great source of inspiration for Ali. After the movie, it was to Hisler’s surprise that the theater was surrounded by excited fans being held back by police barricade. Through the chaos and thundering chants of “ALI!” throughout the crowd, Ali took the time to connect with the fans. Hisler described Ali as being “genuine” with the fans. “He did not care how much time he spent with the individual, he wanted to give them an experience, not just an autograph,” Hisler said. This was when he realized that Ali was not only a great athlete but also a great person. Hisler described Ali’s passing as the passing of a generation. “It was as if a light went out in the world when Ali passed,” Hisler said when asked about Ali’s passing. Through working with Ali, Hisler was able to understand a different side of athletes. Hisler’s own journey into the sports memorabilia world is an interesting story as well. He started out as a teacher at a Bronx middle school. Through his love and passion for sports, he became a sports collector by collecting autographs from famous athletes and was able to launch a career in the sports memorabilia fi eld. Hisler was a successful sports memorabilia show promoter for more than 20 years. His responsibilities included renting a space and hiring celebrities to sign autographs for eager fans. Through his 20-year career as a sports memorabilia show promoter, Hisler was able to meet his fair share of famous athletes. Though Hisler says the best part of the job was making the fans happy, he found making a friendship with Ali as something he will remember and cherish forever. THE COURIER/Photo by Reggie Debrah
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