Penn State softball welcomed Pennsylvania native Haylee Hayward to serve as the program’s Director of Operations, Head Coach Clarisa Crowell announced on July 26, 2023. Hayward returns to Happy Valley for her third season of work with the Nittany Lions in 2026.
Over the course of her two seasons with the Blue & White, Hayward has played an instrumental role in the growth of the Nittany Lion program. As the program’s director of operations, Hayward directly contributes to the team’s success by organizing team travel, coordinating with athletics dieticians and nutrition staff to plan meals for student-athletes, directing the program’s staff of student managers and spearheading the program’s strength in the data analytics space with a variety of software applications including Synergy Sports Technology. Hayward has contributed to a staff that has coached eight All-Big Ten selections and NFCA All-Region award winners, while participating in a 2024 run to the NCAA Tournament that featured the first regional bid for the Nittany Lions in over a decade.
Hayward arrived 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.
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.