2011-2012 NEC player of the year and Long Island University
This is a huge deal for LIU, who was really counting on Boyd
to come back and be the star for the Blackbirds. The reigning three-time NEC
champions have lost Jamal Olasewere (last years NEC player of the year), Kenny
Onyechi, and C.J. Garner due to graduation and will likely lose Boyd for the
season, leaving a huge burden on point guard Jason Brickman to carry the team.
Health hasn't been in Boyd's favor. Following his freshman season he was diagnosed with
noncompaction cardiomyopathy, which, in its simplest terms, negatively affects
the ventricles in the heart. Because of this diagnosis, he was forced to take a
medical redshirt. Last season Boyd was suspended the first two games due to his
actions in a fight. Shortly after he came back, he tore his ACL and was granted
another medical redshirt and a sixth year of eligibility.
Despite the awful luck, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the
NCAA granting Boyd another medical
redshirt. I’m not sure if there is a precedent for that.
Rothstein noted that January is the best-case scenario for a
return, which I don’t buy. Lets think about this in a best-case scenario for
LIU: Boyd tore his ACL June 1 and was able to keep it under wraps for this
long. A January return would be a seven month recovery, which is Jerry
Rice-like.
Rothstein is a very optimistic guy, but the plan for LIU
going forward will probably be to operate as if Boyd isn’t coming back. That’s
a tough break for LIU and the NEC, as Boyd, despite his health concerns, could
have had a shot to take his game to the professional level.
--Chris Cappella
--@C_Cappella
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