My name is Etwood Williams (ET), and I’m from Gilbert, Arizona. I am a Junior at UD majoring in Biology/Pre-Med and I play cornerback for the Spartans football program. I graduated from Mesa High School in 2022 and transferred to UD from Valparaiso University in 2024. Coming to UD was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career, but furthermore my life. Attending Valparaiso University hit like a whirlwind. So many things would go bad my freshman year, from grades, personal relationships, life, and my football career. My first year I was projected to see the field, then I suffered a season ending injury. This sent me into a spiral and I was in a dark place, never really feeling wanted or a sense desire to do much of anything. This process of getting through this with the help of family brought me to a new understanding of life. It taught me to be grateful in the face of despair and to find the good through the bad. After this, UD was the first option on my mind because of the family environment and the sense of care. I have learned to focus on my healing—addressing my physical needs through rehabbing and strengthening my body, and my emotional needs with the love and support of family and those around me. This focus continues today and is supported in the community around me; this is a place I can call home.
