The Lady Jaguars recentlywelcomed a new assistant coachto their staff.

Courtney Boyd, a native ofKeokuk, Iowa, was hired to theAugusta State staff in August.She said she learned about theopening at the university thissummer and realized she couldget a two-for-one deal.“I heard about the assistant head coach position being openand heard about their master’sprogram,” Boyd said. “I realizedI can do something I love andget my master’s degree at thesame time.”

Nate Teymer, who is enteringhis third season as headcoach of the women’s basketballteam, said he is very excitedabout having Boyd as a partof his staff and had attemptedto hire Boyd previously.

“I have been trying torecruit her ever since I wascoaching at Southern PolytechnicState,” Teymer said.“When her name came up, Ijumped on the chance of hiringher.”

Boyd went to KeokukHigh School in Keokuk. Sheattended Kirkwood (Iowa)Community College for twoyears. While there, she ledthe team as the starting pointguard to the national championshipin 2007. She then transferredto Dixie State Collegein St. George, Utah, whereshe graduated in 2009 with abachelor’s in Elementary Education.She was named theschool’s female student athleteof the year during her seniorseason.

Although she is only 26,Boyd has experience under herbelt. Last season, she was theassistant coach at Grand ViewUniversity in Des Moines,Iowa. She helped lead theVikings to their best record(30-6) in school history whilewinning the NAIA MidwestCollegiate Conference and goingto the Elite Eight. Whileit was hard to leave her homestate, Boyd said she has beengetting a lot of support.

“It has been a smooth transition,”Boyd said. “Someonewould always come to help meout with things I did not know.The people here have made itan easier transition for me.”

While Boyd has not metthe players yet, she said sheis looking forward to workingwith them. She wants to assistthe program in any way shecan.

“I want to help improvethe program,” Boyd said. “Ihave the opportunity to workwith great, young athletes.”

The Lady Jaguars are comingoff a 12-16 season but stillmade it to the quarterfinalsof the Peach Belt ConferenceChampionships. All but one oftheir players – guard AmberPeterson – is returning fromlast season’s team. The Jagshave also added Tanchelle hollingsworth,a junior collegetransfer from Johnson CountyCommunity College in OverlandPark, Kan. Their firstgame is Nov. 16 against rivalPaine.

“I am looking forward tothis season,” Teymer said. “Ican’t wait to see how (it) turnsout.”

Teymer said he is excitedabout working with Boyd. He enjoys the characteristics sheadds to the program.

“She brings a lot of enthusiasmamong the students, and shealso brings knowledge,” Teymersaid. “It is not often you findsomeone her age with her kindof intelligence and experience.”

While assisting Teymer,Boyd will also be pursuing hermaster’s degree in educationalleadership. Although Boyd doesnot know what will happen inthe future, she said she is lookingforward to working withcoach Teymer and his staff.

“I will be here at least twoyears,” Boyd said. “After twoyears, I don’t know. I am happyto be working with coachTeymer. I feel like I can feed offof him. I love it here.”

Teymer said he hopes Boydwill stay around as an assistantafter she obtains her master’sdegree.