Hayes brings new ideas to athletics

Since his hiring date of Nov. 3 as Winston-Salem State's athletic director, Bill Hayes has taken the athletic department by the horns at a non-stop pace. 

Hayes, a former winning head football coach at WSSU has had other coaching successes at NC Central and NC A&T.  He also went to Florida A&M and served as athletic director, before returning to WSSU facing several tasks at hand including fundraising and raising the academic bar for student-athletes.

"I think that this is a huge challenge," Hayes said. 

"All of the pieces to the puzzle are here.  I think that we have the opportunity to raise the necessary funds to have the kind of program that this community deserves.  So I consider it a challenge and I look forward to it."

Hayes' early endeavors have included hiring the experienced Connell Maynor as head football coach, extending the contract of head basketball coach Bobby Collins for an additional three years, and initiating the "Academic Cookout" named in the honor of alum Dr. Reginald K. Sherard.  The cookout is a similar event that Hayes has done well with at previous schools in a way to improve the graduation retention and graduation rates.   

Hayes said part of the process is putting as many personnel and financial resources as possible to implement the concept. 

"We're working really hard on that," Hayes said.  

"We're trying to put some real structure to it and a strong system that will make sure that the proper counseling, academic monitoring and study hall supervision to try to improve these grades.  That's very important to me and this staff."

Hayes emphasizes that the cookout is just a start and the process will be ongoing.  He said that progress has been made and a lot more is in the works as the focus is the student-athletes and their accomplishments. 

Part of the focus on the student-athletes is creating programs to generate funds for the athletic department from local businesses and boosters. 

Hayes said that bonding with the University, the student-athletes, alumni and the community are parts of his administration that he has looked forward to, as well as the fundraising side. 

One of the programs, the "1,000 Horns Campaign," is a commitment from 1,000 alumni and friends from WSSU who will make a yearly contribution of $1,000 to athletics.  These donations will total $1 million annually for the department and the funds will go towards scholarships.  

Hayes said only 386 people gave back to WSSU last year. 

"We're taking our fundraising efforts not just on the campus," Hayes said.  

"We have to put butts in seats.  We have to arouse people and give them incentive to want to see what we're doing over here because not enough people are interested.  We have to take our show on the road."

Hayes is also interested in expanding the athletic department into fields such as soccer and women's golf. 

"Athletics is a window to a university," Hayes said. 

"That's what students are interested in and that creates opportunities.  

We have all types of activities planned from banquets to breakfasts, pep rallies, and dinners.  We have to revitalize this department.  We have a lot more to do, but altogether as a team, we will be successful."