University of Delaware Athletics
Parents & Family Weekend Feature Presentation: Liam and Dillon Trainer
10/1/2021 4:20:00 PM | Football
Brothers: Liam and Dillon Trainer
Parents and Family Weekend!
— #BlueHens (@UDBlueHens) October 1, 2021
Get to Know the @DelawareFB Trainer Brothers@liam_trainer and @dillon_trainer
Q&A, Photos, and More ??https://t.co/YWgc4VhgbX#BlueHenFriday pic.twitter.com/M5p0ikw03K
Liam and Dillon Trainer come from a family that lives and breathes football. Their father, Joe, has over 25 years of college coaching experience, including in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Both Liam and Dillon are CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll honorees, excelling in both the classroom and on the field.
Liam, a senior, has played in every game so far as a Blue Hen. In the spring. Liam registered 28 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss with a sack on the season. This fall, Liam has eight tackles, an interception and two passes defended.
In Dillon's first season, he played in all eight games and was a key part of the special teams units. It was on special teams that Dillon first stepped onto the field with his brother to play at the same time. He registered three tackles against Stony Brook last season, and two weeks ago at Rutgers improved his season-high to four tackles.
Q: Liam, what was it like growing up in a football family?
A: Growing up in a football family was definitely exciting. Having a dad coach football in the same league as Delaware for over 25 years, Dillon and I became really familiar with the sport early. Our dad gave us tips and advice, but he wasn’t clingy. He was always at our games, and being at his games strengthened our relationship over the years. I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood growing up in a football family.
Q: Dillon, what’s a memorable football moment from when you were younger that involves your brother?
A: This past spring when I was first able to line up with Liam on kickoff. We had some similar experiences in high school being able to play with each other a little bit. He’s two years older than me, so with him being a senior and me a sophomore, playing time together wasn’t something that worked out too well. Being able to play in college is something every kid dreams of, everyone remembers their first time stepping onto the field for a college game, but being able to do that with your older brother is something that not many people can say they got to experience so I’m very grateful for that.
Q: Liam, what’s it like having your brother join you at UD?
A: It’s definitely exciting. Not everyone can say that have a sibling on the same team as them in college. We do everything together, not just football. We’re close in that sense. At the end of the day it’s an excellent experience and something I enjoy.
Q: Dillon, did your brother playing at UD influence your decision to be a Blue Hen?
A: There was definitely some sort of influence. Visiting him during my junior and senior year helped. I knew that if I came to UD I would know people here and have some friendships established.
Q: Liam, why Delaware?
A: When I visited I fell in love with the tradition first and foremost. Historically, there’s a rich tradition here and a great atmosphere. I fell in love with the campus and the coaching staff made me feel really welcomed. I clicked with them right off the back. I knew I wanted to be great and Delaware was a football school and the university takes football seriously.
Q: Dillon, have you two always played the same position?
A: We haven’t. My first time playing linebacker was my freshman year of high school and Liam’s was his junior year. Before that, we were kind of all over the place doing different things. I was stuck playing some right guard. After that some running back, but I don’t know why, and Liam some tight end. We didn’t always play the same position but we did end up making the transition to linebacker at the same time.
