Crystal Boyd: Back on the court after 11-month absence
After an 11-month layoff due to a series of foot fractures and surgeries on both feet to correct the problems, redshirt sophomore Crystal Boyd will remember Nov. 29, 2007-- the day she returned to the lineup and played for against UT Arlington -- her first appearance in the burnt orange and white since Dec. 30, 2006. In that Dec. 30 game, the 5-11 shooting guard from Little Rock, Ark., came off the bench for the fifth time since returning to the lineup after a left foot fracture in September. That fracture happened when she had an on-campus collision while riding her bicycle. Against San Diego, Boyd had just nailed a 15-foot jumper from the wing late in the game when she came down awkwardly from her elevation, snapping her right foot and suffering her second fracture of the fall semester. That second injury sidelined her for the rest of the year, and Boyd received a NCAA medical redshirt waiver for 2006-07. Those at the game against UTA Thursday saw Boyd play nine minutes as she scored a layup and collected two assists. Following the game, the former Arkansas Gatorade State Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American sat down for a quick Q&A to catch fans up with what her rehabilitation, what keeps her motivated off-court and her two biggest passions -- basketball and music. How does it feel to get back on the court after an 11-month absence? It feels great. I was concerned and anxious before the game, worrying about doing the little things and not trying to do too much. I want to score, but I want to take my time and ease back into things. It's been really hard trying to stay positive. It's been a rollercoaster because I've had my good days and my bad ones, but today was definitely a good day. What was going through your mind the whole time you were injured? A lot was going through my head. I really wanted to come back and contribute. The first injury really hurt me because after my freshman year when the team finished 13-15, I had a lot frustration and really worked hard on my game that spring and summer I remember hitting the weight room hard every day and going hard in individual workouts. I thought I was going to have a big year my sophomore year (last season), and then I got hurt in September, breaking my foot in a bike collision on campus. What do you want to accomplish this season? I want to let everybody to know who I am and for Texas to get back on the basketball scene. I want us to win, and I want us to win the Big 12 and really compete for a national championship while I’m here. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to have three more years at this great school, so I’m going to contribute as much as I can. Do you worry about re-injuring your feet? I don’t think about my feet when I’m out there. As far as I’m concerned, my feet are 100 percent and they’re ready to roll. I’m more concerned about contributing and helping the team instead of hurting the team by sitting out. I want to be a positive asset. How difficult has it been to not only regain your playing form but to also adjust to a different coaching staff? The transition was definitely a different feel. The systems of Coach Conradt and Coach G (Goestenkors) are different, but it is still basketball. You just have to get out there and do what you can and what the coaches expect of you. We loved Coach Conradt. She was a good coach and leader. They are two different people with two different styles, but both coaches are known for what they do and are very, very good at their jobs. What are you studying? I just changed my major to youth and community studies, since I like kids and working with them a lot. I’m thinking of a minor in radio/TV/film, RTF, because of how much I love music and a career in that field. Your friends and teammates all know that you love writing music and lyrics. Is music what you want to do in the future? I write a lot of R&B and do beats. I want to be a song writer/producer. I’ll take any opportunity that is presented to me in the music industry, but I’d rather do the behind-the-scenes work. I just want to be involved. Is music what you want to do in the future? I want to be a song writer/producer. I’ll take any opportunity that is presented to me, but I’d rather do the behind the scenes music work. I just want to be involved in music in some form. If you had to choose between music and basketball, which would you pick? Tough question. I’d definitely try to work it out where I could play and do music at the same time. I don’t think I could give up either of them. I love basketball, and I wouldn’t ever want to quit the game, but I also really love music. Due to your struggles and injuries the last year, did you ever pour your basketball woes into songwriting? I can’t quite say that I wrote a song about being depressed over basketball, but I’ve written some motivational songs to keep my head up and my attitude strong. You’re always going to have people discouraging you, but you just have to keep positive. When did you first get started making music? I got my first keyboard in fifth grade, and I wrote my first song for a boy named Curtis in 10th grade. I never gave the song to him, since I only had a verse, but it was really good! I’ve been writing seriously since 10th grade. How much time do you spend on your music? That is all I do in my free time, really! I have a keyboard in my dorm room. I can’t wait for this Christmas break and the chance to pop out some demos. My brother and sister live in Los Angeles, and I am going to see them before we play in San Diego. I’ve been in contact with someone in the music industry, and I’m hoping to visit this guy’s studio and get experience and information regarding the music industry. Have you ever thought of a great line of lyrics while playing basketball? When I’m on the bench, a lyric might pop up in my mind, but I’m pretty much thinking about the game and what I can do once I get in. Now, if I’m walking down the sidewalk to class, music is all I’m thinking about! But when it comes to basketball time, basketball is all I’m focused on.
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