Sidney Boyd
Sidney Boyd is a prime example of a complete person. He has achieved excellence in many fields. He is a former athlete, coach, scholar, teacher, and musician.
Sid’s lightning quickness and his instant reflexes allowed him to propel his small physical stature into a basketball and baseball player par excellence. His four-year total of 762 points still places him near the top of all Muskingum College basketball scorers even though he came from a high school that had neither a gym nor a coach.
His .367 batting average on the Muskingum College baseball team reveals only a fraction of his value to the team as a flawless fielding second baseman. His unusual athletic talents put fear into the hearts of opponents for year in baseball semi-pro leagues of southeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
Sidney Boyd is a scholar. He taught history, physical education, French, and Spanish for years at Barnesville, Ada, and Ashland High Schools. He visited most of the major battlefields of the Civil War where he studied the battle strategy as well as the results. Former history students still recall his vivid description of these events. He served as president of the Ohio Association of Health and Physical Education Teachers’ association for two terms.
Although he was not connected with music formally, he has played in and directed numerous community bands. He directed the Muskingum College marching band during the football season while yet a student. He was invited as a guest conductor of the St. Petersburg, Florida band on two occasions.
While Director of Physical Education for Ashland City Schools, he started the first summer playground programs and initiated the first American Legion baseball program.
Sid’s credentials as a truly outstanding individual are almost limitless….parade director, church schoolteacher, historian, columnist, lecturer….and on and on.
Perhaps one note that gives us greater insight into this complex man is that he has pen pals around the world, one in France that he regularly corresponds with in French.
Nominator: Ben Shaver
Presenter: Ardith Jordan
