UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State softball welcomed Pennsylvania native Haylee Hayward to serve as the program's Director of Operations, Head Coach Clarisa Crowell announced on Wednesday afternoon.
"I am very excited that Haylee will be joining our staff, and I know that she will be a great fit for our program," Crowell expressed. "Haylee is an exceptional person, and I firmly believe that she has the skillset to be an excellent Director of Operations. A native of our area, Haylee grew up a Penn State fan, and her passion and enthusiasm for our university is second to none. Haylee is going to be an exceptional addition to our program, and I am thrilled that she will be joining our Penn State family."
Hayward arrives in Happy Valley following a two-year stint as a graduate assistant coach with the University of New Haven women's basketball program. While working with the Chargers, she managed all aspects of team travel, including hotel and travel reservations, team itineraries and meal planning for all road contests. Hayward assisted in the management of the team's budget in addition to performing routine coaching duties, such as opponent scouting to aid in game planning and training. Her background in player development and evaluation directly translated into the program's success, both on and off the court.
"I am incredibly honored and thrilled to join the Penn State Softball staff as the program's Director of Operations," Hayward said. "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Coach Crowell, (Senior Associate AD for Communications and Content) Kristina Petersen, and the entire staff for this opportunity. As a native of the area, returning to Penn State fills me with excitement and a sense of homecoming. I have long admired Penn State's prestigious institution and its dedication to excellence both in and out of the classroom. I cannot wait to work with these exceptional student-athletes, supporting their growth both on and off the field while contributing to the continued success of the program."
Before starting her graduate assistantship in New Haven, Hayward served in athletics administration at the University of North Carolina, supporting Tar Heel Athletics by conducting various research and development projects for the department. While in Chapel Hill, Hayward cultivated working relationships with athletics staff and local businesses to assist in revenue generation and planning for various athletics-sponsored events.
Hayward is a 2020 graduate of the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management. During her collegiate career, Hayward participated in athletics internships in the compliance office at Saint Francis, in addition to a prior stint with the Nittany Lions as an event management assistant. In May of 2023, Hayward additionally garnered her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of New Haven.
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