Bill Hayes is one of those coaches who doesn’t need an introduction if you know anything about HBCU football. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to return his call last week when he texted me. The former Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T head football coach wanted to talk about his upcoming golf tournament.
His annual golf tournament is coming up on Friday, June 28 at the Salem Glen Country Club in Clemmons, North Carolina, and getting the golfers is never an issue. The morning flight has been full for quite some time now.
While Hayes hopes everyone enjoys the links, his entire focus is on fundraising which will directly benefit HBCU programs in the area. The Bill and Carolyn Hayes Foundation is behind the tournament as it heads into its third annual incarnation.
Besides traditional sponsorship opportunities, Hayes calls on his network of friends to provide items for the Silent Auction. It’s an easy way for anyone to contribute whether or not they have any interests in golf.
Items up for auction include signed memorabilia from inside and outside of the HBCU world. Naturally, there are items from WSSU and NCAT, but there’s also merchandise from the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Clemson University, the University of Alabama, and more.
Fellow coaches, former players, and the like are more than willing to donate items to the cause. However, Hayes wants to ensure that people are aware of the opportunity and have a chance to participate.
The proceeds from the tournament and auction are all slated to help HBCU programs as they continue to compete in the challenging economic environment of modern college athletics. According to the golf tournament’s website, $12,790 has been raised with four days until tee-off.
Last year WSSU and NCAT each received $20,000. North Carolina Central University received $10,000 with Fayetteville State University garnering $5,000. Local high schools Carver and Parkland each received $1,000 each.