Torey Williams age 18 of CBA Albany

Albany Times Union

Torey Williams, recently graduated standout Lacrosse midfielder beloved by his teammates, coaches and community, died in a motorcycle accident nearly 1,000 miles away from his alma mater.

Around 4 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013, Williams, 18, lost control of his Yamaha not far from his apartment in Savannah, Ga., according to police there.

Williams had graduated from CBA just 10 months before and was attending Savannah State University. Nearly every player, coach, parent and fan at the Plumeri Sports Complex Sunday had the same first thought when asked about Williams, who was also a star wide receiver and defensive back on the school’s football team and was a record-setting high jumper as well.

“He was always smiling,” said Peter Reilly, a senior CBA defender who played with Williams for years. “There was nothing you could do to make that kid angry.”

“The nicest, most approachable kid you could imagine,” CBA head coach Tim Vivian said. “He always had a smile on his face. He was a big part of the CBA family.”

Andy Curro had known Williams since third grade. “He was the type of kid everyone looked up to,” the senior midfielder said. “Everyone is still in shock. We all have so many great memories with Torey.”

Williams started for four years on CBA’s lacrosse team. His senior year, Williams was named a first-team all star in lacrosse by both the Times Union and Troy Record. That same year, he was named a second-team all star in football by the Times Union, set school records in the high jump and was offered an athletic scholarship to Manhattan College. Williams, however, decided to go south to Savannah State, where Vivian said Williams was hoping to try out for the lacrosse team next year.

Quiet and generous off the field, Williams was a fierce competitor and natural leader when he suited up for any sport, his teammates said. Williams was always well-prepared and focused on game days. In September 2011, the day before CBA went out and beat rival La Salle, 43-29, in a football game, Williams told the Troy Record, “I think we’ve prepared enough where I’m not nervous. …I just want to beat ’em bad.”