Sept. 18, 2017
AVON, Conn. - The Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) earlier this summer approved the nominations of the Hall of Fame Committee for its induction class of 2017. The list of inductees includes Penn State alumnus and lacrosse All-American Tom Hayes, who served for more than 30 years combined as the head coach at Rutgers (1975-2000) and Drexel (1969-74).
The 2017 class will honor seven renowned coaches with an induction ceremony on Friday, December 8 in Baltimore, Md. This special group has amassed a 1,538-846-11 record with multiple conference and national championships. Four are inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and are members of an additional 10 halls of fame.
Hayes, the winningest coach in Rutgers lacrosse history, joins inductees Dave Cottle (Loyola University of Maryland, University of Maryland); Avery Blake Sr. (Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University); Sid Jamieson (Bucknell University); Jack Kaley (New York Institute of Technology); Dick Szlasa (United States Naval Academy, Washington and Lee, Towson University); and Morris Touchstone (United States Military Academy, Yale University).
"This class, like those before, include leaders of the game from past to present," stated J.B. Clarke, president of the IMLCA. "Each coach in this class has made significant contributions to the game and I'm excited to witness their enshrinement."
Hayes, inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1989, led the Scarlet Knights to 21 winning seasons and final top-20 rankings for 24-straight years. He mentored 55 All-Americans at Rutgers and the North-South All-Star game selected 30 participants from his teams. Two of his former Scarlet Knights played internationally and won world championships with Team USA. He was twice named the "USILA Man of the Year." Numerous Rutgers lacrosse firsts occurred under Hayes, including coaching the first team to win 11 games in a season and the first NCAA Tournament victory, both coming in 1986.
"I feel honored that the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association believes I am deserving of this recognition," Hayes said. "To become a member of an elite group of coaches who have been inducted previously is an achievement and I am humbled to be included."
Throughout his coaching career, Hayes has been involved with the development of an expansion of the sport of lacrosse in various capacities with the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) and he currently serves as the Director of the Olympic Vision Committee. The ILF's U-19 champions cup is named after Hayes in recognition of his significant contributions to international lacrosse
A two-time USILA All-America honorable mention in 1961 and 1962, Hayes played midfield for Penn State and was the Nittany Lions' top goal scorer in both those seasons. His eight goals in a single game, against Rutgers in 1962, is tied for fourth on the individual single-game record chart. His legacy at Penn State continues as the Tom Hayes Nittany Lion Teammate Award is presented to a member of the team "whose actions and words embody what being a great teammate is all about, having compassion for those around you and genuinely caring more about the team than personal needs."
The IMLCA, with a membership comprised of individual collegiate coaches, was created in 2004 to help build the game of lacrosse. It has become the premier organization providing coaches' development and to monitor the integrity of the game.
To purchase tickets to the 2017 induction ceremony at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, visit www.IMLCACoaches.com.