A native of Easton, Pa., Hayes earned her degree in public communications with honors from American this past spring and twice was named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also was named to the Patriot League Academic All-Star team three times and earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine College Sports Information Directors of America District 2 All-Academic team in 2008.
Her responsibilities will include coordinating team travel, coordinating recruiting visits, handling business operations, serving as staff liaison to UD compliance, business and equipment rooms, and assisting in the scheduling of practices and competition. She replaces Alison Pate, who resigned this past spring to pursue a similar position in the National Basketball Association.
“We are excited to have Liz back here at the University of Delaware and join our staff,” said Martin. “Liz was an intelligent player who always worked extremely hard and we know she will bring those outstanding characteristics to this position.”
Hayes earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a guard this past season when she led American to an 18-14 record, the Patriot League regular season title and a berth in the Women' National Invitation Tournament under Head Coach Melissa McFerrin. American was upset in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals but advanced to the WNIT, where the team fell to Villanova in the opening round.
She led the team with a 12.9 scoring average and hit 66 three-point baskets, second most in the Patriot League.
After sitting out the 2005-06 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Hayes had an immediate impact at American, earning second team All-Patriot League honors after averaging a team-best 14.4 points per game and dishing out a team-high 92 assists. She set school records for three-point field goals in a game (seven, against Delaware) and a season (78) and scored a career-high 30 points against Monmouth. A member of the Patriot League All-Tournament team, she also shot .883 from the foul line for the season.
In her freshman season at UD, Hayes averaged 6.6 points per game, including a season-high 17 points against St. John's, and set a school freshman record with 33 three-pointers. The Blue Hens went 19-10 and advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association championship tournament semifinals.
As a sophomore, Hayes played in all 31 games and averaged 4.1 points per game while ranking second on the team with 33 three-pointers. The Blue Hens went 25-6, captured the CAA regular season title and advanced to the WNIT.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
