William L. Hayes
Director of Athletics
336.750.2141
hayeswl@wssu.edu
William “Bill” Hayes was named athletic director for Winston-Salem State University October 29, 2010. He began his duties January 1, 2010. Hayes’ career in college sports spans 36 years.
Prior to his appointment at WSSU, Hayes served as athletic director at Florida A&M University. He also was head football coach at WSSU for 12 seasons, during which his teams won three CIAA championships.
Hayes joined Florida A&M in January 2008 after serving as athletic director at North Carolina Central University for nearly five years. He also served as head football coach at N. C. A&T State University for 15 years after leaving WSSU in 1987. In addition to posting the most wins of any football coach at both WSSU and N.C. A&T, he led major fundraising efforts during his tenure as athletic director at both Florida A&M and N.C. Central.
Hayes also served as an assistant football coach at Wake Forest University for three seasons, being the first African-American assistant coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
A member of the Sports Halls of Fame for both WSSU and N.C. Central, he was also inducted in the CIAA Hall of Fame. Hayes has been active in the Boy Scouts of America and received its highest regional award for a volunteer in 2001. He was selected as MEAC Football Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1999 and was CIAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
