ACC to honor HBCU legend Bill Hayes

Though he is best known as an HBCU legend, Bill Hayes is also a legend in the ACC.

Bill Hayes has been awarded the ACC UNITE Award for being a trailblazer as a coach at Wake Forest University. The award was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice.

“I am deeply honored to receive the ACC UNITE Award and to stand alongside so many champions of equality and justice,” Hayes said in a statement via Wake Forest. “My journey as a coach and leader was shaped by a commitment to making a difference, not only on the field but in the lives of young men and women. The opportunities I was given, and those I helped create, have always been about building a better future, and I am proud of the legacy we’ve established in the name of progress and unity.”

Coach Bill Hayes, whose trailblazing career has inspired many, was recognized prior to and during the Demon Deacons’ Week One game against North Carolina A&T on Thursday, Aug. 29 inside Allegacy Stadium. Hayes, who served as Wake Forest’s running back coach from 1973 to 1975, was a groundbreaking figure in the ACC and set a precedent for diversity and excellence in college football.

After his time at Wake Forest where he was the first Black assistant coach in the school history as well as the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Hayes became the head coach at HBCU Winston-Salem State University (1976-87), where he led the Rams to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships and five CIAA divisional titles. His leadership was instrumental in taking his 1978 team to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Following his tenure at Winston-Salem State, Hayes served as head coach at HBCU North Carolina A&T (1988-2002), guiding the Aggies to two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances and winning three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles.

He is the second winningest football coach in the state of North Carolina’s collegiate history.

Hayes’ career also includes a distinguished role in athletic administration, where he served as athletic director at North Carolina Central, Florida A&M, and Winston-Salem State University. Under his leadership, WSSU achieved significant success, including a national championship game appearance in 2012.

In recognition of his contributions, Hayes was awarded the 2019 AFCA Trailblazer Award, honoring his role as an early leader in the football coaching profession at historically Black colleges and universities. Additionally, a statue in his honor is set to be unveiled at Winston-Salem State University, celebrating his legacy and impact.

Not to be outdone, the field at Bowman Gray Stadium was named in his honor a few years ago, and a statue is currently being erected there.

Bill Hayes’s achievements not only reflect his outstanding career but also his commitment to advancing opportunities for others.

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