--Boyd Earns N4A Distinguished Service Award (June 23, 2021)
Jean Boyd has served as the Deputy Athletics Director since October 2017. In this role, he manages the overall implementation of the Sun Devil Athletics strategic plan and serves as the department’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Additionally, Boyd serves as the primary sport administrator and General Manager (GM) for football, and is a member of the Pac-12 Football Working Group.
Previous to this role, Boyd served on the senior leadership team as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Performance (2014 – 2017) where he oversaw the collaborative efforts for all maximizing components for student-athlete performance, well-being, and development. Prior still, he served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development (2011 – 2014) and lead the commitment to graduating and preparing student-athletes to become high achievers in life. During this time period he also coordinated the department's diversity and inclusion efforts.
Boyd has been regarded nationally as a leader in the field of comprehensive student-athlete development. In June of 2021, he was recognized with the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professional’s (N4A) Distinguished Service Award. From 2014 to 2016 he served on the N4A executive committee and was voted the organization’s president in 2016 where he led a restructure and organizational name change. In 2012 he was named the National Associate of Academic Advisors for Athletes' Lan Hewelett Award winner, an honor given to the top academic professional as voted on by his/her peers.
Boyd began his ASU career shortly after his student-athlete experience as a management intern for Sun Devil Athletics in July of 1995. Other positions he held include Coordinator, then Manager for Life Skills, Manager for Football Academics, and Assistant then Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. Boyd joined the ASU Athletic department after spending time with the New England Patriots in 1994 and the London Monarchs (NFL Europe) in spring of 1995.
Outside of Sun Devil Athletics, Boyd continues to be committed to his life passion of empowering young people through education and sport to maximize their human potential. In 2005 he co-founded the non-profit organization "Scholar Baller®," which promotes academic and life achievement through motivational academic incentives and educational initiatives.
Boyd has been a Sun Devil since January 1991 when he joined the ASU football program as a transfer from Cerritos College in Southern California. After playing for the Sun Devils for three years, Boyd earned his undergraduate degree in History from the College of Liberal Arts in 1994. He went on to earn his Master's degree in Education in Higher and Post-Secondary Education in 1998.
Boyd has two beautiful children, Nadia and Jean III. Jean III is currently a football student-athlete for the Sun Devils.
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