A star athlete at Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois, Joyner went on to attend Arkansas State University.

He competed with their track and field team throughout his college career and, by the time he graduated, Joyner was a three-time NCAA All-American indoor champion, a three-time NCAA All-American and outdoor champion, a four-time Southland Conference champ and had placed 8th in the triple jump at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Joyner was also an accomplished sprint hurdler, placing 2nd and top American in the 60 yards hurdles at the 1986 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

He also began directing the Flo Jo Community Empowerment Foundation, an organization dedicated to making dreams come true for the youth around the world.

During this time, he also coached two athletes with their sights on the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track and Field team, and was himself training to compete in the men's triple jump trials.