It goes without saying that Bekah Boyle has left a lasting impression during her four years at Chico State. The Wildcat volleyball standout was a star on the court, a leader in the locker room, an amazing achiever in the classroom, and a vital figure in campus life. On April 24, the pride of Redding, California was rewarded for her tireless efforts by receiving the 2019–20 Ronald Dahl Scholar Athlete Award during the annual Chico State Student Leadership Awards ceremony. An extremely special student-athlete, Boyle is also the latest Wildcat of the Week.
“The impact Bekah has made beyond her formal service is what has endeared her to all of the Wildcat Family,” Chico State Athletics Director Anita Barker said during the awards ceremony. “Bekah is one of four volleyball seniors who were called upon to lead their team through unthinkable challenges during the last two years (including the death of head coach Cody Hein). She rose to this challenge with grace, poise and empathy. This commitment to her teammates and our program is her true legacy.”
Boyle’s numerous athletic and academic honors are testament to her dedication and determination. An outside hitter with over 900 career kills as a Wildcat, she earned a pair of All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) awards. She also excelled in her studies—a biochemistry major, Boyle twice received Academic All-America honors, as well as three Academic All-District awards, five CCAA All-Academic honors, and two Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards. In 2017, she was selected as the CCAA Volleyball Championship Scholar.
Boyle also played a major role in the Chico State Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C). During the 2019–20 academic year, she served as the organization’s co-president, working to improve the student-athlete experience, build a sense of community within the various athletics programs, and spearheading several community service efforts.
Wildcats Volleyball Interim Head Coach Tommy Gott echoed Barker’s sentiments about the contribution Boyle has made since coming to Chico in the fall of 2016.
“She exemplifies and embraces the Wildcat spirit,” Gott said. “She loves to be engaged with her teammates and fellow student-athletes and I believe she’s earned a lot of respect from her teammates, peers, coaches, and athletic administrators. She has definitely elevated the meaning of being a Chico State volleyball player on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. She has created a legacy for herself and paved the way for many to follow. I’m excited to see the next chapter in Bekah’s life, as well as see her transition into that ’alum role’ and continue to give back to the program and pass knowledge on to future Wildcats.”
True to her nature, Boyle was very humble in accepting the Ronald Dahl award, using the occasion to voice her appreciation to those who supported and inspired her during her time at Chico State.
Boyle thanked both Barker and Gott, and expressed her gratitude to her parents, Bob and Mary Jo.
“I don't think I can fully comprehend the sacrifices they’ve made for me throughout my athletic career,” Boyle said. “I definitely wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have had without their love and support.”
Boyle also took time to praise Hein, who recruited her to come to Chico State. “He taught me so much about leadership and about grit,” she said. “Not just through his coaching, but from the way that he lived and the way that he did everything. I definitely wouldn’t be the person that I am today without him.
(Cody) gave me the opportunity of a lifetime being a student-athlete here at Chico State. I met some of my best friends here and I have experienced what I now hold as some of my most precious memories.”
I've told people this before, but, coming to Chico State has been the single best decision that I've ever made in my entire life, and playing volleyball here comes in as a close second.”
Bekah Boyle is what being a Chico State Wildcat is all about.
