For Mia Boyd ’22, athletics has always been about more than the game. From playing hockey and lacrosse at Sacred Heart Academy to completing four years of collegiate ice hockey at UMass Boston, Mia’s experiences as a student-athlete have shaped her leadership, discipline, and vision for the future.
Mia began playing hockey at a young age after her brother picked up the sport. She played throughout all four years of high school at SHA, adding lacrosse during her junior and senior years. She credits sports with teaching her discipline, time management, and the importance of showing up even when motivation is lacking.
For Mia, participating in multiple sports created opportunities to build friendships and expand her sense of community. She describes herself as “not always being the most outgoing person,” but being part of multiple teams at Sacred Heart helped her connect with people and build lasting relationships.
Sports, she says, help develop strong habits, leadership skills, and time management while providing an outlet for stress, an opportunity to stay active, and something to look forward to. Coaches, parents, and teammates also play an important role in an athlete’s growth.
Her college career, however, came with its share of challenges. Mia experienced significant coaching turnover, working with three different coaches during her four years. Her first year was particularly difficult, as she navigated team dynamics and a challenging atmosphere. She missed the warm team environment she had enjoyed at SHA, but felt empowered to help make a change.
Mia took an active role in creating a more positive experience, focusing on making new players feel included and strengthening team relationships through team bonding activities. By her senior year, Mia had become a captain and was involved in the process of selecting a new head coach. That leadership experience helped her recognize the importance of building a supportive culture—something she credits SHA with instilling in her.
“At SHA, you can be friends with everyone,” Mia shared, reflecting on the positive community and atmosphere she experienced during high school. Those values stayed with her as she worked to help transform her college team into a more welcoming environment.
From the ice and field at SHA to the collegiate rink at UMass Boston, Mia’s journey reflects the lasting impact of athletics, leadership, and community. As she continues pursuing her education and building a career in sports marketing, she carries with her the lessons and experiences that began during her time at Sacred Heart Academy.
Mia graduated from UMass Boston in May 2026 with her bachelor's degree in Sports Leadership and Administration. She is now pursuing a second undergraduate degree in Marketing. Her ultimate goal is to work for a sports team or sports brand. She is particularly interested in marketing, partnerships, and development, including exploring how brands connect with athletes and ambassadors. She is fascinated by the relationship between a company’s core values and identity and the reasons an athlete might want to partner with that brand.
SHA looks forward to seeing all that Mia accomplishes next!