Amirah Boyd, the NCAA’s youngest coach, guides Caldwell University’s acrobatics and tumbling squad. The 22-year-old pulled off this incredible achievement just a few weeks after graduating from college.
However, she has not always gotten the highest level of approval. She told BOTWC that the hardest problem has been people taking her seriously. Not only am I Black, but I am also female and 22 years old. So I kind of have three things going against me. But I know what I am doing. The fact that I am young, a woman, or whatever has nothing to do with it. “I am in this position for a reason.”
Growing up with her family in Georgia, she started gymnastics at the age of three. At 14, her gym trainers urged her to take on leadership responsibilities after noticing her inherent leadership qualities.
In her sophomore year at Presbyterian College (PC) in South Carolina, the Atlanta native changed her major from biology to athletic coaching after deciding to pursue a career in coaching.
Boyd maintained an active gym routine, routinely participating in tumbles while at school. Prior to working at Caldwell, she participated in team competitions, open and synchronized pyramid, obligatory acro, open and synchronized toss, and Acro 6 Element. She was also on the NCATA Academic Honor Roll.
While a student at PC, the trailblazer graduated to level 10, the highest level of the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics program.
Today, she shares her expertise and abilities with Caldwell acrobatics and tumbling students.
Boyd recently made history by coaching her first collegiate match on February 24 against Stevenson University. She accomplished this by encouraging her team to victory—the first in Caldwell’s acrobatics and tumbling history. This marks the first triumph for any New Jersey tumbling and acrobatics program.
“I was crying,” Boyd said after the historic triumph. “It was the most captivating experience. I felt like my and the girls’ hard work had paid off. Then, everything came to me like, ‘holy crap!’ “This is bigger than it appears.”
Boyd will revitalize Caldwell’s acrobatics and tumbling program by recruiting scores of student-athletes for the team’s future success.
She claimed she has always wanted to be a Division One coach or start her own team, but “I’m very confident that I’ll be here at Caldwell for a while.” I truly like it here. I leave a mark everywhere.”
She went on to say, “The biggest thing for me was to instill the love that I have for the sport into other people.”
“I say to these girls…”Always know your purpose and your rationale, correct? I usually say to them, “Know your why and stick to it.”
Boyd was inspired by her parents and prominent gymnasts, like Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, and Dominique Dawes, the first African American to represent the US in the Olympics and win a gold medal at the age of fifteen.
She underlined that she is confident in her chosen job, regardless of others’ judgments. “In my heart of hearts, I knew this was what I wanted to do, and even if some people think I’m crazy for getting into the coaching profession or whatever, I know it’s what brings me joy. If just one person says, ‘Coach Amira, she was the best, she transformed my life, or she helped me through whatever circumstances I was going through,’ that is something you can never exchange. Just making sure I can make someone’s life better in some manner.”
She hopes that her historic achievement will serve as an inspiration to other young Black women, pushing them to pursue their passions and have confidence in themselves, regardless of what others may say or think.
“I aim to inspire others who are hesitant to try something new or take on a big career after college that they can succeed. People will question you, but it is completely achievable.
“Four years ago, I never imagined that I’d be in the position that I am now, especially so soon after graduating from college. But I put my mind to it, and I succeeded. So anyone can do the same thing.”