University of San Francisco Athletics

Hayes was born in 1948 in Greenwich, CT, and graduated from Valparaiso University, in Indiana. He began his training career as an Assistant Trainer at Valparaiso University, and then moved to Hobart College in New York to work as an Athletic Trainer. Later, he became a Trainer and a traveling Secretary for the Israeli Sabras. 

Hayes began as an Trainer for USF in 1976. During his 25 years at USF, he was a key behind-the-scenes player. He not only trained athletes, but worked with them to prevent injuries and was the first on the scene when an injury occurred. He worked at USF when the 1951 Championship Basketball Team, with three Championship soccer teams, and was a Trainer at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

He was a friend and mentor to Dons athletes who admired both his skills and his loyalty. Many of the players he worked with became his friends. The former Athletic Director Bill Fusco said: “Wally Hayes was completely dedicated to all USF student-athletes. USF was fortunate to have such a loyal, supporting individual (USF Athletics).”