Thomas Hayes

Hayes led Sewanhaka High School to consecutive championships in 1956, 1957, and 1958 as a midfielder and earned first-team All-County honors in his senior year. He went on to Penn State University where he earned All-America honors twice and led the Nittany Lions to the conference championship in 1962. Hayes began his coaching career at Penn State as the freshman team coach in 1967 and became the assistant varsity coach in 1968. He then moved to Drexel University, serving as head coach from 1969–1974. His teams made two USILA Tournament appearances, and he produced three All-Americans. 

After five years at Drexel, Hayes became the head coach at Rutgers University and remained in that capacity from 1975–2000. His teams were ranked in the Top 20 from 1975 to 1998. Rutgers made five NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure and produced 57 All-Americans. His overall coaching record was 243-162 over 32 seasons. 

Hayes has also been involved with the International Lacrosse Federation throughout his career. He served as the organization’s president from 1994-2002, vice-president from 1974-1978, secretary-treasurer from 1978-1982, general delegate from 1974-1994, Marketing Committee Chair from 2001 to present, and Development Committee Chair from 2003 to present. In recognition for his contributions to international lacrosse, the ILF’s U-19 championship trophy is named in his honor. Hayes was on the US Lacrosse Foundation board of directors from 1985-1987, and he was president of the US Lacrosse Coaches Association from 1990-1994. He was USILA Rules Committee Chairman from 1975-1979 and USILA International Games Committee Chairman from 1973-1994.

Hayes was general manager of Team USA in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, and 1990. He was a Pre-Olympic Tournament Committee member in 1984. His many honors include: Head Coach of North-South College All-Star game in 1977 and 1998; USILA Man of the Year 1974 and 1987; Assistant Coach in the North-South All-Star Game in 1975; Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee in 1989; Sewanhaka High School Hall of Fame inductee in 1996; New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee in 1997; USILA Frenchy Julien Service Award recipient in 2000; and New Jersey Lacrosse Man of the Year winner in 2000.

Tom Hayes passed away in March, 2022. He was 82 years old.