by Malcolm Butler
The Williams family has long and close ties to Ruston.
Five generations have attended Louisiana Tech—the fifth is currently enrolled as Bulldogs—and Chris and Trey Williams’ great-great-grandparents lived in Building 318 at the turn of the 19th century.
Her father, Butch, played football for Tech in the late 1960s under legendary coaches Joe Aillet and Maxie Lambright.
They bleed red and blue.
The Williams, Minden residents and owners of Minden Athletic Supply for more than five decades, are now returning to Lincoln Parish to open Ruston Athletic Supply.
“It’s always been a family dream — it’s been my dream — since The Sportsman was (in Ruston),” Chris said. “We were friends with Mr. Kenneth Fuller. Our plan was that as soon as Mr. Fuller got tired of (the Sportsman), we would move in.”
“When this happened 15 or 20 years ago or whenever, the timing just wasn’t right for us. We were always looking at it. Finally, I thought, you know what, it’s like having a baby or buying a house, the timing is never going to be perfect. You just have to do it. And what better time than the present. Let’s just do it and see what happens.”
Just do it.
For a sporting goods store that offers numerous other brands in addition to Nike products, that’s a pretty good perspective.
According to Chris, the 9,000-square-foot store will open “sometime in September,” pending final approval from the fire marshal.
Chris and Co. have owned Minden Athletic Supply since 1973, so they are well prepared for what it takes to run a new business.
“Our current team is experienced and knows the business,” Chris said. “We can distribute them without having to worry about customer service or day-to-day operations. We know there’s a need for it. We hear all the time from people in Ruston that they wish we had a store in Ruston.”
Because of the growth and momentum in Ruston, Chris also knows the timing is right.
“Honestly, Buc-ee’s heard we were coming and decided to nip at our heels and ride the wave,” Chris joked. “But seriously, when you think about it, Ruston is one of the few growing cities in Louisiana. It’s definitely the fastest growing city north of Alexandria. And the (Ruston Sports Complex) doesn’t hurt.
“When costs arise, there are several moments when you might reconsider your decision. But there was one random fall Sunday last year when I drove through this complex and there was no room for another car. And I thought to myself, ‘We’ll be OK.'”
According to Chris, Ruston Athletic Supply will offer everything “from a little kid’s first tee ball glove to high school and college girls who need an expensive softball bat. Cheap to high quality. We have it. Dad’s fan t-shirt for high school. Team sports. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Track and field. A little bit of everything.”
Ruston Athletic Supply will also carry school uniforms and merchandise from local high schools and colleges.
Chris also said that screen printing and embroidery would be offered at the new location, but that these orders would initially be handled from the Minden location.
“We make a lot of uniforms for recreational leagues and travel ball,” Chris said. “We’re a full-service sporting goods store, similar to the one we grew up in, but there are very few of those left today.”
Ruston Athletic Supply is located at 1223 Commerce, just off the service road on the north side of I-20.
“We are thrilled with the location right off I-20,” said Chris.
For more information about Ruston Athletic Supply’s features, visit MindenAthletic.com.
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