Black history spotlight Boykin recognizes sacrifices of ancestors

Dan Boykin, affectionately called “Coach” by many within the community and the most recent “Pride of Obion County” winner, will be the first to tell you “never let your environment, situation or anyone put limitations on your ability to achieve.”
Born the sixth of eight children to the late Dan and Sally Boykin, Coach knows the value and benefits of obtaining an education. He will readily tell you that he is just two generations removed from slavery and one generation removed from indentured service as the son of a sharecropper. Boykin, who is the principal at Union City Middle School, also acknowledges that his achievements are the results of the prayers and sacrifices of many that have gone before him. His desire, devotion and dedication to continuous learning are a testament to the many individuals that provided insight and guidance in his life regarding the vast benefits of being educated.
The first and foremost instructor in his life was his mother, who only had an eighth grade formal education, but a “doctorate” in the field of life experiences, also known as “mother wit” and “common sense.” Boykin is a long-time educator who taught middle school students for many years and has great experience at the administrative level, as well. He cherishes strong convictions that those who are willing to persevere through life’s shortfalls called failure can then reach to the heights of success.
Education for Coach has come in a multitude of diverse ways. He vividly recalls the hot sultry summer days of chopping cotton fields, while anticipating the drudgery of picking that same cotton in the cold fall mornings. That in itself was a lesson in always being prepared for changing situations. He knows first hand that desire can, and will, overcome many of the obstacles that life presents.
Following the death of his father when Coach was only 9 years old, he could have easily succumbed to the unhappy circumstances that life was dictating at that particular point. With the encouragement of a strong mother, community support, caring teachers and a loving God, however, he was able to realize that the dream of an education was possible.
These circumstances have formulated his philosophy and they provide insight into the person that he has become today. That is why he advocates respect for self and for others, discipline and compassionate love as essential components of the educational process.
Boykin utilized his athletic prowess to earn a four-year scholarship to Lane College in Jackson upon graduation from Stigall High School in Humboldt. After completing his bachelor of arts degree from Lane College, he pursued and earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, with an additional 45 hours to his credit.
He has been married for 30 years to Marquetta A. Boykin and is the father of daughters Rebecca and Daphne and son Marcus. Boykin is quick to point out that God has blessed him with 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well. He is a member of Vine Street Church of Christ, where he serves as superintendent of Sunday school and is the Adult Sunday School Class teacher.
He also serves on the board of directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Tennessee and the Obion County 911 board. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, NAACP, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Education Association and Tennessee Education Association. Those who ask Coach why he is so involved receive the following response, “To whom much is given, much is required. I received so much out of the cookie jar of life that I dare not put something back into it for those that come after me.”
Editor’s note: Several prominent local citizens and others who have strong family ties with this community have been asked to write brief stories or provide details about their educational history and their challenges and successes so that the young people in this area may be encouraged to work hard in school and become respected, contributing members of society as well. This effort was part of the celebration of Black History Month in February. The response was so great that the stories continued beyond the original scope of the project, and many more stories remain to be told. These, however, must be saved for another time as The Messenger brings this series to a close for 2008.
Published in The Messenger 3.21.08