Boyd Family Scholarship
The Boyd family has a combined 100 years of teaching and coaching in Saginaw Catholic schools. Their victories on the field pale in comparison to the positive impact the family has had on shaping young adults in the teachings of Christ. Their passion and commitment to the Catholic education of young people inspired the establishment of the Boyd Family Scholarship Endowment in 2020.
The Impact of a Faith-Based Education
A Catholic education is a unique learning experience because it nurtures the mind, body and spirit. Woven into academic subjects are lessons on growing virtues such as kindness, compassion and servant-heartedness, and the importance of community and respect.
Donating to the Boyd Family Scholarship Fund makes this wholistic education possible for students wanting to attend Nouvel Catholic Central schools.
Established as a long-term fund with endowment provisions, interest from the fund accumulates and is distributed each year into the general scholarship awards made by Saint Gerard Society.
“We have always believed in faith-based education and the significant difference it has made in each of our lives and the lives of others….The strength and accessibility of Catholic education in our community has and will continue to be a priority for our family for generations to come. Our family is honored to be members of the Nouvel community and humbled to be recognized through this scholarship.”
About the Boyd Family
Leo “Smokey” Boyd played basketball and football at St. Peter & Paul High School which is now known as Nouvell Catholic Central High School. He went on to play football for Michigan State, then returned to Saginaw, Michigan, to teach and coach at his high school alma mater. During his time as an educator and coach, he was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985, the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame as well as several other awards.
Leo and his wife, Betty, married in 1951 and had two sons, Christopher and Mike.
Leo’s wife, Betty, taught at St. Peter & Paul Elementary School for over a decade and served as a branch manager at Michigan National Bank for over a decade. She was a devout Catholic and touched many lives through her involvement in Nouvel Catholic Central schools.
Leo retired from coaching after the 1999 season.
Both Leo and Betty joined our Father in Heaven in 2022.
The Boyd Brothers
Christopher Boyd
Christopher Boyd was also educated at St. Peter & Paul High School then went on to Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Christopher currently serves as the District 9 County Commissioner for Saginaw (term: 2025-2028).
Alongside his brother, Mike, Christopher served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Nouvell Catholic Central football team from 2000 through the 2018 season.
Mike Boyd
Mike Boyd (left) graduated from St. Pete’s in 1978 and Alma College in 1982.
Mike taught, was a school administrator and served as the head football coach at Nouvel after his father retired. In partnership with his brother, they helped lead the Nouvel Catholic Central Panthers to 19 district and regional titles and three state championships in 2006, 2007 and 2011.
In 2019, Mike retired from his roles as Nouvel football coach, athletic director and dean of student support services, after a 29-year coaching career for the Panthers.
Interested in Giving?
Donations to the Boyd Family Endowed Scholarship grow over time, helping more and more students.