Dion Williams Jr. enjoyed his college years at Montana Tech so much that he decided to make the Mining City home.
The Fairfield, California native starred as a wide receiver at Tech from 2014-2018 and held four individual program records at the time of his graduation. Two of those records — career receptions (203) and receptions in a season (77) — still stand.
The Diggers won a pair of Frontier Conference championships (2015 and 2016) and made two NAIA playoff appearances during Williams’ time in Butte.
With his playing days behind him, Williams turned his attention to another passion of his — having an impact on the next generation of athletes. After spending about two years back in California, Williams returned to Butte in the summer of 2022, primed for his next journey.
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He started Inspire Academy, an athletic training facility for kids aged 7-17. Williams trains individuals, teams and small groups, and beyond that, looks to impact the community in any way he can.
“I just love the community. Great community, great people. We won a couple of championships around here, so it definitely was a good time for me here in Butte,” Williams said.
“I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to come back and give back.”
On Aug. 31, Williams will host the third annual Inspire Academy football camp at Copper Mountain Youth Park. It will be the second straight year that Williams puts on the “Back to School” school supply giveaway BBQ directly after the camp, ensuring that kids in Butte will have what they need for the year.
Volunteering has been a focus for Williams, 28, even before his college days. It continued while he played at Tech and has now become a main focus.
“I’ve always been a giver. Helping out with the kids, the community and all kinds of stuff when I was younger,” Williams said.
“It just kind of translated once I got (to Butte). It’s just kind of easy for me to step into that role and get some stuff going.”
When Williams first stepped onto campus at Tech back in 2014, he admitted it was a bit of a culture shock. After all, he was an out-of state kid with no familiarity with his new surroundings.
But that decision to play at Tech paid dividends, not only with success on the field, but with the relationships cultivated.
“I loved it,” Williams said of his time at Tech. “It was a great time, I met a lot of great people and lifelong friends, I consider them my brothers. Great coaches and just a great experience.”
Williams is grateful for his playing days at Tech, and now he looks to reciprocate with his work in the community.
“During my time at Tech playing, Butte gave so much to me. So much love and support,” Williams said.
“So why not give back the same and allow them to raise up this next generation of athletes, students and scholars and make sure they are on the right path.”
In the future, Williams hopes he can open a larger complex in Butte to take his training to the next level.
But no matter the space or situation, the former Tech star has no plans to stop being involved in the community, whether it’s through training youth athletes or giving back through events like the school supply giveaway.
With Inspire Academy, Williams is doing what he loves — being involved in the community and making a difference on the next generation. “Man, it means everything.
When I was growing up, I didn’t have the opportunities that I’m now providing for other people,” Williams said.
“Bringing something like this to Butte, it’s never been done. I just want to provide that service to the kids and the community, so that they could be further along than I possibly could’ve been when I was younger.”
Gavin Derkatch is a sports reporter for the Montana Standard. Follow him on twitter @gderkatch or email him gavin.derkatch@406mtsports.com
