22-Year-Old Amirah Boyd Becomes NCAA’s Youngest Coach Few Weeks After College Graduation
Defying Odds and Making History
Just a month after celebrating her 22nd birthday and mere weeks after graduating from college, Amirah Boyd has etched her name in the history books by becoming the youngest person to coach at the collegiate level in the NCAA.
Boyd’s appointment as the head coach of Caldwell University’s acrobatics and tumbling team is a remarkable achievement, defying societal expectations and breaking barriers.
“The biggest challenge has just been people taking me seriously,” Boyd tells Because of Them We Can in an exclusive. “Not only because I am Black, but also because I am a female, and I’m 22 years old. So, I kind of have like three things working against me. But, I know what I’m doing. The fact that I’m young or the fact that I am a woman or whatever, like that has nothing to do with anything. I’m in this position for a reason.”
A Lifetime of Dedication and Passion
Boyd’s journey to coaching excellence began at the tender age of three when she first discovered her love for gymnastics. Hailing from Georgia, her natural leadership abilities were quickly recognized by her coaches, and by the age of 14, she had already embarked on her coaching journey at her home gym.
During her time at Presbyterian College (PC) in South Carolina, Boyd’s passion for coaching solidified, prompting her to change her major from biology to athletic coaching. Balancing her academic pursuits with her active involvement in tumbling, Boyd excelled in various events, including Compulsory Acro, Pyramid, Toss, Acro 6 Element, Open and Synchronized Pyramid, Open and Synchronized Toss, and team events.
Trailblazer in Action
Boyd’s historic appointment at Caldwell University was quickly followed by another groundbreaking achievement. On February 24th, she led her team to victory against Stevenson University, marking the first-ever win for the Caldwell acrobatics and tumbling program, as well as the first victory for any acrobatics and tumbling program in the state of New Jersey.
“I was crying,” Boyd says of the landmark victory. “It was the most riveting experience. I felt like so much hard work from me and from the girls had paid off. Then, everything was just kind of like coming to me like ‘holy crap!’ This is bigger than what it seems.”
Building a Legacy
With her infectious energy and unwavering determination, Boyd has breathed new life into the two-year-old Caldwell acrobatics and tumbling program. She has not only secured the program’s first victory but has also set her sights on recruiting dozens of student-athletes to carry the team into the future.
“I’m very confident that I’ll be here at Caldwell for a while. I really do like it here. I leave a mark here, I leave a mark everywhere.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Boyd’s pioneering achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for young Black women aspiring to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face. Drawing strength from trailblazers like Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Dominique Dawes, Boyd’s message is clear: “You can do it. People are gonna doubt you, but it’s 1000 percent doable.”
“Four years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I would be able to be in the position that I am right now, especially like at this moment straight out of college. But I put my mind to it and I did it. So anyone else can do the same thing.”
