The University of the South

 Growing up around the sport of equestrian, Boyd won a national championship by the age of 12 and was a part of riding throughout her childhood. When Boyd arrived at Sewanee in 1973, her father informed her to take a break from equestrian while attending Sewanee and pursue other athletic opportunities. At that time, the only choices for women were gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and riding, for which you had to pay an extra fee, which would require her father's approval. 
 
The proctor in her dorm told her that they were trying to pull together a volleyball team. Joanne had played on her high school's team, so she signed up and brought two with her to the first practice with Coach Lawrence Alvarez, a math professor at Sewanee who agreed to coach the team. 

A four-year member of the program, she was a captain during her junior and senior years. 

After graduation, Boyd returned to riding and was part of a three-day eventing, show jumping, and dressage. 

She serves on the Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and was a major proponent of planning the 50 Years of Title IX celebration at Sewanee, in conjunction with 50 Years of Women's Athletics.