Remembering Our Friend Damian Williams – Sport Oregon Voices

Photo: Timothy D. Sofranko | Linfield University

On June 12, 2024, we lost a great friend and former colleague, Damian Williams, following his courageous battle with cancer.

Damian worked with Sport Oregon from July 2021 to June 2022, serving as its Sports Tourism Services Manager. Joining Sport Oregon at a pivotal point when we were diligently working on helping the state return to all the great events it was accustomed to before the pandemic, Damian played an integral role in the development of our new sports tourism department. His ability to connect with people was second to none, and he quickly made his impact on the organization and became a friend to all with whom he crossed paths.

Matt Reed, COO of Sport Oregon, worked closely with Damian:

Damian was an absolute joy to be around, and his unwavering positive personality and outlook on life were infectious, even after his diagnosis. He would legitimately light up any room he was in, and made fast, lasting friendships with people from all walks of life.

Traveling with Damian was a treat, especially for tradeshows and conferences. He was the “King of Free Stuff.” No promotional swag was ever safe, and he’d walk away from shows with bags of shirts, chocolates, stickers; anything he could get his hands on. It was a joke between us, and he always tracked me down on the show floor to show off his treasures, with a devious, charming grin.

From a Sport Oregon perspective, he was exactly what we needed at exactly the time we needed it. He was our second-ever sports tourism employee and brought a wealth of knowledge from a lifetime of involvement in youth sports. He was our eyes and ears on all things youth-sports-related, and he set the tone for what we’re accomplishing now on the sports tourism front.

Even when Damian moved on from Sport Oregon, he stayed closely in our orbit with the involvement of his students at Linfield University, and their help with some of our most important events in the region. Without Damian, this pipeline of volunteers and future talent simply would not exist.

He was a devoted and proud family man, an athlete, a coach, and an extremely popular colleague around the office. But most of all, Damian was a friend to all who knew him. He’ll be genuinely missed, and we’re all better off for crossing paths with him.

Matt Reed – Chief Operating Officer, Sport Oregon

Those who knew Damian well would tell you he loved every job he ever had. A longtime educator and coach, Damian – among many other interesting accomplishments – was a highly successful softball coach, namely as the winningest coach in the history of Willamette University. His coaching took him across the country and around the world, no doubt producing exceptional life experiences and friendships at every stop.

He continued to build those bonds as he broadened his professional pursuits in the tourism and sports industries with Travel Salem and Sport Oregon.

Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel says Damian made an immediate impact with the organization:

From the moment he walked into our offices on his first day at Sport Oregon, it was clear that Damian was a special guy. He was the type of person who would light up a room and build a special connection with everyone in it. While he was with Sport Oregon for a relatively short period of time, he was the perfect fit to help us start our new sports tourism department. He was such a wonderful connector of people, and his contributions were immense.

When it came time for him to return to his passion as an educator, it was sad to see him leave, but we all knew it was a great move for Damian. Education was always his true calling, and when you saw him in action, you would immediately recognize the special connection he built with each of his students and how passionate he was to help guide them on their educational journey.  

When I think about Damian, it strikes me at just how affable and authentic he was. Even when he was going through some rough times with his health, those traits never wavered. He always remained positive.

Damian was an inspiration to so many people. Our hearts go out to his wife, Genesis, and son, Everson. He was such a memorable person and will be greatly missed.

Jim Etzel – Chief Executive Officer, Sport Oregon

Many believe Damian had a superpower when it came to his relationships, and he had such a knack for connecting people. In 2022, Damian returned to teaching as a professor at Linfield University. There, he founded the Front Office Sports group to give students an opportunity to work on real-world projects with sports teams and organizations across the Pacific Northwest.

He remained close to Sport Oregon after he left, working with the organization to offer his students the chance to roll up their sleeves and experience, first-hand, the types of opportunities that exist after college.

One of his students, Kaylee Barnum, now serves as Sport Oregon’s marketing and events coordinator:

Damian was more than just a professor to me; he was a mentor, a friend and a guiding light in my life. His passing has left a void that can never be filled, for he brought so much joy, wisdom and compassion into the world.

As my professor, Damian challenged me to think critically, to push myself beyond my limits and to never settle for mediocrity. He believed in my potential even when I didn't believe in myself, and his encouragement and support were invaluable to my growth and development. 

But Damian was more than just a teacher; he was a friend and mentor who always took the time to listen, to offer advice and to share his own experiences. He had a way of making everyone feel seen and heard, and his presence brought warmth and light into any room he entered.

In my professional life, Damian's influence was immeasurable. He not only taught me the skills and knowledge I needed to succeed, but he also instilled in me a sense of confidence and determination that has guided me through every challenge and opportunity. His guidance and mentorship opened doors for me that I never thought possible, and his belief in my abilities gave me the courage to pursue my dreams.

I will carry Damian's lessons with me always, and I will strive to honor his memory by living up to the potential he saw in me. I will always be grateful for the time I had with Damian, for the lessons he taught me and for the memories we shared. He may be gone, but his impact on me will live on forever.

Kaylee Barnum – Marketing & Events Coordinator, Sport Oregon

Despite his illness, Damian taught a full courseload during this past spring at Linfield. Just recently, he was honored with Linfield’s R.J. McIntyre Distinguished Professor award for his work with the school’s business students.

Always the sportsman and mentor, Damian meant so much to so many in our state. He will be missed.

Photo: Timothy D. Sofranko | Linfield University