Joan Boand, retired faculty member and longtime Laker coach, died January 27 at her home. She was 88.

President Philomena V. Mantella called Boand extraordinary.

"Her accomplishments are extraordinary, and so was she," Mantella said. "Her reach has extended long past her career with lasting effects on women in sports and her dedication to GVSU's programs."

A leader in coaching and teaching, Joan Boand was THE advocate for women's athletics at Grand Valley State and had an incredible impact at the state and national level. Boand was an innovator of programs and left a legacy at GVSU that will last forever.
 
Joan began her career at Grand Valley State in 1966 as a tenure track Assistant Professor in Physical Education and quickly became involved with implementing women's sports into the athletics department. Boand is credited with playing a role in starting virtually every women's athletic team at GVSU during her career and coached volleyball, women's basketball, softball and track & field. She amassed 745 total wins and her teams won 10 GLIAC Championships during her illustrious career. 
 
Joan guided the Laker volleyball program for 26 years (1969-94), logging a record of 545-332 (.621). GVSU won six GLIAC championships and Boand was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1986. She led the Lakers to a school-record 42 wins in 1986 and tallied four campaigns with 30 or more wins during her tenure. 
 
In addition to volleyball, Joan coached the GVSU women's basketball team from 1974-78, compiling a record of 132-48 and winning four consecutive GLIAC titles. She also coached the softball team from 1968-75 and tallied a mark of 68-16.
 
Following a distinguished coaching career, Boand moved into the role of Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women's Administrator where she served in a variety of capacities on league and NCAA committees at the state, regional and national levels. Retiring in 1999, she created the Joan Boand Athletic Scholarship as a way to give back to students. Joan's impact lives on today through the success of our student-athletes, coaches and administrators. 

"Joan has said all along that it took one word to get it started, and that word was 'yes,'" Director of Athletics Keri Becker said. "Yes turned into, 'I will,' and 'I will' turned into 'We did.'

"Today, we sponsor 11 exceptional women's programs that have done nothing but excel at the highest levels. Joan's legacy will never be forgotten and will live on in every female student-athlete who wears the GV logo an their chest."