Testimonial Tuesday: CJ Boyd

Testimonial Tuesday: CJ Boyd

Date: January 29, 2019
By: Eric Leary

Making a positive first impression can go a long way into providing opportunities no matter a person’s goals, ambitions, or expectations.  It goes beyond skills and uncovers for those watching a true picture of the individual’s character. It is one thing to know this and quite another to put the concept into practice.  Putting it to practice is exactly what CJ Boyd did when he got the opportunity to first join the Dirtbags in 2018. Dirtbags General Manager Trey Daly recalled, “(CJ) came into last year started on Coach Drew team and just flat hit and played extremely hard and made a name for himself.”

As a right handed hitting utility player from Reagan High School, the 2020 graduate Boyd joined the Dirtbags 16u Drew squad in the summer of 2018 after being spotted by the organization’s staff at a scrimmage game earlier in the spring.  CJ made an impression on that day. Daly went on to say, “When watching CJ the first thing you notice is how hard he plays. Effort is never a question with Mr. Boyd.” The Dirtbags have long built their own success on showcasing those players that operate on the field with high energy, and they have also made good on getting those guys the exposure they needed to connect with top collegiate programs in the country.

Thus it didn’t take long for CJ Boyd to get noticed by colleges, as he credits the Dirtbags and Daly for reaching out to coaches and programs on his behalf.  The junior said being with the organization helped him learn to compete all the time because one never knows who is watching. In fact, Boyd recalled a moment from last season when he was called on to fill-in with the All Blacks at a time when “no one there to see me – but I made an impression.”

And what an impression he apparently made because on October 14, 2018, CJ Boyd committed to the ECU Pirates. When asked what made him choose the program, he quickly cited the high level at which the program in Greenville, NC operates; with recent successes making them a contender on a national stage.  He went on to add that it “felt like home” and how impressed he was with the staff, facilities, and campus. Then the conversation turned to about how Coach Cliff Godwin’s presence promotes excellence and on his push for the Pirates to win a national championship.  It is fair to assume the Pirates made an impression on Boyd as well.

When asked why playing with the Dirtbags has been significant for his development, Boyd comments the exposure garnered from D1 to JUCO programs is noticeable by the players.  Also he believes the organization teaches players to play with 100% effort and he appreciates how Dirtbag coaches will be real with players and honest about options; not trying to steer players places where they can’t play.  CJ also had accolades for his teammates saying, “You get to play with the best in the Southeast – it’s a brotherhood – it’s easy to see why players don’t leave once you are a Dirtbag.”

But before he matriculates to his college career, CJ has business to take care of beginning in the spring of 2019 at Reagan.  He says the Raiders, who were 18-9 in 2018, will hopefully push to win a conference championship and make a run at a state title.  More championships are on the docket for the summer with the Dirtbags, as he mentioned winning the WWBA in Atlanta and giving a good showing at the New Balance Future Stars Series in Texas.  All of these goals to perform are the reason he has put such an emphasis on his strength development in the offseason by working with a private trainer.

Rest assured that when CJ Boyd takes the field in the next few years he will be making sure he provides a good first impression.  Perhaps Trey Daly summed it up by saying, “Every time you watch the athletic Junior it’s always a treat to see how much passion he shows on the diamond.” And that’s something CJ wants to make sure other people see as well.