We are very proud to have Demond Williams and the AZCAA Football League as a part of our school family. Mr. Williams directs athletics and football at La Paloma Academy, Heritage Elementary School, and Liberty Traditional Charter School. He was instrumental in establishing the first Tucson AZCAA football leagues at LPA Lakeside and Central Campuses.

Born in a small city outside of Jackson, Alabama, Mr. Williams attended junior college there and was then recruited by Pima Community College in Tucson. He played football for two years at PCC, as tailback, cornerback and on special teams. At the end of those two years, Mr. Williams had his choice of more than 30 divisional scholarships. He chose to play at Michigan State to be close to family. As an MSU Spartan, he was named Star Player and Player of the Week.

After attending NFL Draft training in Palm Beach, Mr. Williams had the opportunity to play with the Arizona Rattlers and others. He left football to dedicate more time to his family and later began substitute teaching at La Paloma Academy. This teaching opportunity ignited his passion for helping kids and encouraging academics through athletics. He is well-known for a shirt he made for LPA athletes that reads “Dominating Education and Sports.” He believes sports help students develop not only physically but academically, as students of all ages are required to maintain respectable grades to continue participating in sports.

Mr. Williams encourages students to be respectful and dress appropriately, comparing them to NFL players. Mr. Williams calls his friends from the NFL from time to time to let his students say hello, and “to show them that even a ‘common’ teacher can be friends with star athletes when everyone practices respect and responsibility.” We feel there is nothing common about any of our extraordinary teachers, and Mr. Williams is no exception!