Updated Nov. 29, 2009

HAYES TRIBUTE DETAILS SET: A San Francisco memorial to honor the legacy of longtime trainer Wally Hayes will be held Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 3-5:00 PM at War Memorial Gym. Please contact Julie Congi in the USF Development Office for additional details at (415) 422-2875 or at congi@usfca.edu.

(San Francisco) - Longtime USF athletic trainer Wally Hayes passed away quietly in early November after a long battle with a variety of ailments.

In recognition of more than two decades of service to the student-athletes at the University of San Francisco, Hayes was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. Dozens of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators were in attendance to celebrate his legacy.

Hayes was a true ambassador for USF athletics. Prior to his retirement in March 2002, he logged hundreds of thousands of miles traveling to 45 states and several foreign countries on behalf of the Green and Gold. During his long career on the Hilltop, Hayes served as the athletic trainer for three USF NCAA Championship soccer teams (1976, 1978 and 1980) and was the trainer for the men's basketball program when it reclaimed the No. 1 national ranking in 1977.

Current USF head soccer coach Erik Visser played on the Dons title teams of 1978 and 1980 and has fond memories of a man he knew for more than three decades.

"On a personal level, Wally was one of the first people I interacted with when I arrived at the University of San Francisco in 1978," Visser said. "Right away he made me feel at home. He really embodied what the University of San Francisco is all about. His passion, dedication and above all his caring touched countless people during his career at USF. He was a friend and mentor to hundreds of student-athletes and he kept in close contact with many of them throughout the years. He will be very dearly missed."

A graduate of Valparaiso, Hayes served there as an assistant trainer there before taking a similar position at Hobart College in upstate New York. Before beginning his career on the Hilltop, Hayes was the athletic trainer and traveling secretary for the Israel Sabres of the European Professional Basketball League. Hayes was hired at the University of San Francisco and began his career serving the Green and Gold in 1976-77.

"Wally Hayes was completely dedicated to all USF student-athletes throughout his career," said former USF Athletic Director Bill Fusco, who worked with Hayes at the start of his USF tenure. "He was their friend and confidant. There was always mutual respect and trust between Wally and the student-athletes. USF was fortunate to have such a loyal, supporting individual."

In addition to his work with collegiate athletes, Hayes worked with Olympic Athletes at the Olympic Training Center at Squaw Valley. A longtime member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Hayes served as the liaison for countless visiting NBA and international teams practicing at War Memorial Gym.