Hunter Boyd '21 Recruiting Profile

Before I talk about who I am, it is important for me to share what makes me who I am. Before I was born, my family’s dynamic was changed by the death of my oldest sister Miranda. Miranda battled Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer, but that didn’t stop her intelligence, honesty, and determination. On May 4, 2002 my role model passed away at the age of four after losing her strenuous battle with cancer. A mere one year later, during my birth, my mother was rushed into the OR for an emergency C-section. Chances were I wasn’t going to make it, but I fought to be here. After my family put their lives on hold for my sister’s life and mine, my mom and I were welcomed by my dad, my older brother Myles, and older sister Ciara. I questioned why I was here. It felt like I wasn’t supposed to be here.

It’s June 19, 2016. I am about five feet tall and weigh nearly 200 pounds. I was overweight and close to obese. Little League was over and I had to think what I was going to do next. I was excelling in school; I had straight A’s every year and was interested in high school baseball. Knowing that I was thirteen years old and physically unfit to play what I loved, it seemed like I had no other reason to be here. However, I couldn’t let Miranda down. It always felt as though she believed in me when it felt like no one else did. Her small body persevered throughout her cancer treatments, and I knew I could persevere through my battles. I loved baseball too much to walk away just because I was uncomfortable in my own skin. So, I pushed myself. In just a short four months of that same year, I dropped 50 pounds by exercising daily, changing my eating habits, and altering my mindset drastically. After putting in my everything, I earned the opportunity to not only play travel baseball, but was chosen for the starting job as catcher over two other talented players. But I still wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be here.

Currently, I’m preparing for my Junior year of high school where I will be taking three Advanced Placement courses, competing for the starting Varsity catcher spot in the Spring, and searching for the right college to continue playing baseball. Although baseball is my first love, I am determined to also find a school that will help me earn degrees in Sports Management and Business, like I always dreamed of. I want to be at a school that’s enthusiastic, competitive and determined, like I am, but also believes in me and will not give up on me, like Miranda does.This is who I am now. I am a focused, determined, capable, and passionate student-athlete. I believe anyone can break down the walls they confine themselves to. After hearing about Miranda’s battle, and fighting through my own, I want to continue growing as a student and athlete over the next few years. So now, it is time for me to show recruiters, coaches, friends and my family, that I am supposed to be here.