Wilson Boyd begins his second season as the Volunteer Coach for the Winthrop baseball program.
Boyd, a native of Denver, NC, came to the Eagles baseball program last season after serving as an Assistant Coach at Hickory High School in Hickory, NC in 2011, and a four-year playing career with the Clemson Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference and head coach Jack Leggett.
“I am excited to join Coach Riginos and the rest of the Winthrop staff,” he said. “It is exciting to join a program rich in tradition with top notch facilities to go with a winning attitude. I look forward to bringing energy and knowledge to help Winthrop achieve the highest level possible.”
He posted a career batting average of .306 with the Tigers, while playing in one NCAA College World Series, three NCAA Super Regionals and three NCAA Regionals. Along with his .306 career average, Boyd is sixth in school history with 238 games played and 215 starts, and seventh with 837 career at-bats. He also recorded 256 hits and 21 home runs.
Boyd earned numerous awards during his Clemson career including: Clemson Tiger Baseball Award (2010), Bob Bradley Award (2006-07), ACC Player of the Week (May 2010), Clemson Regional All-Tournament Team (2009), Auburn Regional All-Tournament Team (2010) and ACC All-Tournament Team (2009).
During his senior season in 2010, Boyd posted a .301 batting average with five home runs, 46 RBI, 42 walks, 47 runs and 14 doubles in 65 starts. The Tigers earned a bid to the NCAA College World Series after capturing the Clemson Super Regional and Auburn Regional, while he picked up Auburn All-Regional Team honors. Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division as well.
In 2009, he hit .341 with three home runs, 46 RBI, 35 runs, 15 doubles and three triples while making 52 starts. Boyd was named to the Clemson All-Regional Team and also participated in the Arizona State Super Regional, and received ACC All-Tournament Team recognition. He set a Tiger record that season by recoding a hit in seven consecutive at-bats.
Boyd, as a sophomore in 2008, became just the fourth player in Clemson history to hit two homers in the same inning, and was one of two Tigers that year to start in every game. He compiled a .300 average with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 12 doubles, one triple and 42 runs in 59 starts. That season he earned the Bob Bradley Award as the series Most Valuable Player against South Carolina. He tied for the team lead in hits and had 20 two-out RBI.
In 2007 he hit .285 with two home runs, 30 RBI, seven doubles, three triples and 39 runs while appearing in 62 games. Clemson won the Coastal Carolina Regional that season and played in the Mississippi State Super Regional.
Boyd redshirted in 2006 as the Tigers made it to the NCAA College World Series.
“I am extremely excited to have Wilson Boyd join my staff,” said Riginos. “Wilson will bring instant energy and passion to the Winthrop baseball program. The players, alumni and fans will see the instant impact that Wilson will bring to the program. He has already demonstrated a passion for coaching and Winthrop baseball. Wilson, along with Coach Ben Hall, are great additions to the Winthrop baseball staff.”
During his high school career, Boyd had a career average of .438 with 30 home runs and was a four-time All-Conference member. He was a four-year letter-winner in baseball and two-year letter-winner in football. He picked up North Carolina All-Region three times and All-State twice, while being named the North Carolina Senior Games MVP in 2005. Boyd also participated in the North Carolina vs. South Carolina Select All-Star Game in 2005 after earning Conference Player of the Year and Louisville Slugger All-American accolades.
