The all-time winningest coach in Rutgers men's lacrosse history,
Tom Hayes takes great pride in the contributions he has made to the sport at the University, across the country and around the world.
His induction into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night is just another reminder of the impact he has had in the lacrosse community.
"I look at the past inductees, and it's a very humbling situation for me that I'm considered with some of the greats that have gone through the athletic program," Hayes said. "I'm very humbled by it."
A winner of more than 190 games at RU, Hayes is not one to boast about his accomplishments. However, his former players and associates have no problem taking the reins on identifying just how important Hayes is to the game.
As
Reid Jackson – a Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame member and three-time All-American under Hayes – put it: "If there were four pillars supporting the roof of lacrosse, Hayes is one of them."
"He's an icon," Jackson said. "He is the Vince Lombardi of lacrosse. He's a giver and not a taker. He does everything to promote this game."
The accolades Hayes collected during his 25-year tenure at the helm of the program are extensive; as 55 All-Americans played under his guidance. Hayes led the Scarlet Knights to 21 winning seasons and to final top-20 rankings for 24 straight campaigns. His teams competed in five NCAA tournaments, including back-to-back appearances in 1990 and 1991. In total, his 194 victories at Rutgers are the most all-time in the sport here at the school.
Hayes also accomplished a number of firsts with the Scarlet Knights, including leading the first team to win 11 games in a season (1986), the first victory in an NCAA tournament game (1986) and the longest winning streak of nine (1982).
Hayes is quick to push attention away from himself, instead directing all accolades associated to his time in Piscataway to fellow coaches, former players and members of his support staff.
"My philosophy with people is that you treat people the way you'd like to be treated and it usually works pretty well," Hayes said. "I was dependent on a lot of people at Rutgers for the success of our program, and I thank them and treated them with respect. They were very helpful to me."
Jackson, who also competed for Team USA and played professionally in Major League Lacrosse, always appreciated the way Hayes coached.
"He was organized," Jackson said. "He was deliberate and always had a game plan, but allowed us to call an audible and to give him input. I saw him utilize his staff and empower them, and he empowered us players, too. He would listen to us and was flexible to take input from others."
Ryan O'Shea, who was also a three-time All-American under Hayes in the early 90's, had fond memories of Hayes and his ability to provide guidance when needed most.
"When you're 18-years-old rolling into college, you need leadership and guidance, and Tom was able to provide that for us," O'Shea said. "One game as a junior, I didn't play so well and walked off the field with my head down. Coach Hayes came up to me and said 'Your head is down, and that sends a signal to both your team and the other team that you're defeated. I don't care what happens during the rest of your career here, whether it's going good or bad, you keep your head up.' That teachable moment has resonated with me to this day."
While Hayes' tenure at Rutgers ended in 2000, his involvement with the sport has remained constant. Hayes is a member of the Federation of International Lacrosse, established in 2008 to serve as the sport's international governing body.
One function of the federation is to spread the game worldwide. Hayes said when he first started at Rutgers in 1975, only four countries were involved in the sport. As of 2017, close to 60 countries field programs at the international level.
As a FIL Board Director, Hayes wants the sport to continue its growth. The FIL applied for lacrosse to be recognized by the Olympics, with a decision from the IOC on the sport's inclusion due in December.
"I've been a missionary in helping grow the sport throughout the world," Hayes said. "It's an exciting sport with a lot of scoring and body contact. There is finesse, and it does not make a difference how big you are and the kids who play are very passionate."
Jim Scherr, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the FIL, recognized Hayes as a person on the forefront of growing the sport to where it is today.
"He was instrumental in the beginning with fostering international play and developing the game internationally through trips abroad with our All-Star and U.S. teams," said Scherr. "His impact on the sport in immeasurable. Tom is a natural organizer and leader, and is just a humble person who I have enjoyed getting to know over the years."
Lacrosse means the world – literally – to Hayes. While all of the accolades received throughout the years are humbling, the biggest impact he has made is his ability to give back to the sport he loves.
It is a message he has pitched consistently to the student-athletes who have played for him over the years "On the Banks".
"One of the things I believe in and tried to pass on to my former players is that you're going to get a lot out of this sport, so make sure you put something back into it," Hayes said. "I think we've definitely done that and I'm proud of them for that."
Former players on Tom Hayes
"Coach Hayes had a tremendous impact on my lacrosse career and helped mold me into the person I am today. He instilled confidence and afforded me an opportunity to compete at the highest of levels when others did not give me a chance. I am grateful for our relationship and admire all that he has done as a father, husband, grandfather and coach. He has been an ambassador for our great sport of lacrosse and I owe a tremendous amount to him as lacrosse still to this day is a huge part of my life and my families' lives. Congrats on a well deserved Hall of Fame induction."
"I've known Coach Hayes for a long time, and playing for him was very positive. He not only cared about you as an athlete or teammate, but he cared about you as a person. He cared about your life in general. He wanted you to succeed at everything. I really enjoyed playing for him and I think that's why we're still friends. He always cared about not only what you did on the field, but what you could do for your community and everything. It speaks to who he is."
"Coming out of high school, when you hear Tom Hayes name, you knew that it meant something because of his involvement with USA Lacrosse and everything else he did. It was a pleasure to play for him. He had a huge impact on my life."
