Staff file photo
Ursuline’s Dean Boyd, left, is tackled during a football game earlier in his career. The standout wide receiver holds Division I offers from Princeton, Harvard and Navy, among others.
YOUNGSTOWN — Ursuline’s Dean Boyd admits he didn’t always feel academics were a big part of his future, but the classroom sure has paid its dividends for the star receiver.
Boyd, a senior, boasts a 3.9 GPA and holds scholarship offers to play football at Harvard, Princeton, Bucknell and the Naval Academy, among others such as Youngstown State and Robert Morris.
“Growing up, all you hear from coaches and parents is academics are the key to your future, especially in sports. At first, I didn’t believe it,” he said. “This last year, a lot of opportunities have come my way because of academics and working hard in the classroom, and I’m finding out it’s, in fact, true.
“Working hard in the classroom can pave your future and provide a lot of opportunities to make your parents proud and the people who support you proud. It’s a good feeling.”
While he holds those impressive offers, Boyd says he’s keeping his recruitment open and plans to play out his senior season. As such, he hasn’t set a target date to commit by.
Rather, he wants to focus on the task at hand — leading Ursuline as far as the Irish can go. In the eyes of Boyd and his teammates, that’s a run at an Ohio state championship.
“I’m looking to be a leader this year,” said Boyd, who recently was named a team captain. “It’s gone so fast, I’m looking to lead my team to a state championship.”
He also wants to keep building camaraderie with his teammates.
“The biggest thing for me is team bonding and all that. (Playing football) isn’t a personal thing for me. I play for more than just myself. It’s for my teammates, coaches, parents, peers and supporters.”
A season ago, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound receiver was “playing well,” according to Irish head coach Dan Reardon, but suffered an injury that sidelined him for much of the year.
Ultimately, the Irish were bounced from the playoffs by Lake Catholic in the regional championship. Ursuline finished 7-3.
But Boyd says Ursuline had a good offseason, and now the goals are set high.
“I think we’ve been working hard this offseason, and we know our potential,” he said. “We’ve been talking about what we’re going to do, but we’re ready to let our vision speak. We’re ready to win a state championship this year, and I think we have a lot of potential.”
When the time does come for Boyd to make his college decision, he says a combination of athletics and academics are factoring into his choice.
“I’d say I’m looking for a second family when I’m looking at a college. With football, I want to build together and win together with my teammates and coaches,” he said. “Academics are a huge part of it and a huge part of my future wherever I’m looking at. I’d say both academics and athletics are very important.”
He wants to study a business-related field, possibly sports business.
Boyd also plays basketball as a shooting guard at UHS. Away from sports and the classroom, he says he enjoys being with friends and being outdoors.
“Being outside is a huge thing, and I love working out,” he said. I don’t (work out) because I want to, I think I need to do it. I like it and other stuff like being outdoors and hanging with friends. I don’t like watching TV or being on my phone too much. I like connecting with nature and with God.”
Ursuline opens its season against Columbus Bishop Hartley on Thursday at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
