Hayes Joins VSU's Athletic Staff

Hayes Joins VSU's Athletic Staff

September 27, 2010

Jernail C. Hayes joins the Virginia State University athletic staff as the Assistant Track & Field Coach. Coach Hayes is a graduate of Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ), where she received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Sociology while competing for the SHU Track & Field Lady Pirates.

During her time as a Student-Athlete, she amassed 8 Big East Conference Championship Titles (400 Hurdles, 500m, and 4x400m Relay), 7 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Titles (400 Hurdles, 400m, and 4x400m Relay). She was also a Two-Time NCAA Division I All-American in the 4x400m relay (2009 - Outdoor) and in the 400m (2010 – Indoor).

This past summer Coach Hayes qualified for the USATF (United States Track & Field) National Championship Finals in the 400m Hurdles with a personal best time of 56.53 seconds. She completed her weekend of competition ranked 7th in the United States. This accomplishment along with her indoor 400 meter NCAA All-American time of 52.66 has initiated her status as one of the emerging elite 400m / 400IH runners in the United States.

“I am extremely excited to have Jernail as a part of the VSU Track & Field Staff. She is a product of my program over the last four years; she knows the intricacies and nuances of my preparation, competition and academic expectations. I expect that she will be a very valuable asset to every student-athlete who is a part of our program here at VSU. Her personal athletic and academic goals should inspire our student-athletes to do great things here at Virginia State” added Head Coach Jason-Lamont Jackson.

Coach Hayes duties will include Recruiting, Preseason Conditioning, Weight Room Liaison, and Study Hall Coordinator. More specifically, she will work closely with the Trojan Sprinters and Hurdlers. A native of Newark DE, by way of Augusta GA, Coach Hayes is working towards her Masters Degree in Sports Management at VSU, and lives in Petersburg.