Hays Named 2011 National Collegiate PV Coach of the Year

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.kuathletics.com/sports/c-tra ... 11aaa.html


KU Track Assistant Tom Hays Named 2011 National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year



Tom Hays was recently named the 2011 National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year.


Feb. 10, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. -

Even though the year is just over a month old, Kansas assistant track coach Tom Hays is making a name for himself as he was recently bestowed the 2011 National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year award given by USA Track and Field.

Hays, who was honored for the success he and his KU athletes achieved during the 2010 track and field season, received the award at the National Pole Vault Summit on January 29, 2011 in Reno, Nev. The Pole Vault Summit, which is held for only the top pole vaulters in the country, has been an ongoing event for the past 22 years.

“I definitely was surprised,” said Hays. “I was asked to speak at the National Pole Vault Summit and then when I got out there they ended up also giving me the award. It was a surprise, but certainly a great honor.”

The annual award is chosen by the developmental coordinator for USA pole vault and his/her committee.

“I feel extremely honored because it’s voted on by your peers,” said Hays. “It’s heartwarming to know those are the people who voted for me to be named coach of the year.”

In 2010, Kansas vaulter Jordan Scott won the NCAA Outdoor Championship. Along with that title, Scott was the Big 12 Champion in the indoor pole vault in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also crowed the 2007 and 2010 outdoor conference champion.

Under Hays’ tutelage, Scott was named the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Freshman Performer of the Year in 2007, and an All-American in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“Jordan’s outstanding season was no doubt a big part of me being given this award,” said Hays. “It’s exciting for not only me but the whole Kansas program.”

Scott is not the only successful jumper Hays has coached in his time at Kansas. He also coached Kate Sultanova and Amy Linnen. Sultanova was a four-time All-American, won four Big 12 Championships, and owns a share of the school record for indoor pole vault. Linnen was a two-time indoor pole vault National Champion, a two-time All-American, and currently still holds the women’s NCAA Indoor collegiate pole vault record.

[CowtownPV]

Congrats Tommy Boy, well deserved honor.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.kansan.com/news/2011/feb/14/ ... -one-best/


Pole vault coach is one of the best
By Geoffrey Calvert
Monday, February 14, 2011
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Pole vault coach Tom Hays was named the National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year in a surprise presentation at the UCS National Pole Vault Summit on Jan. 29.

“I was asked to come and be the keynote speaker at the Summit. They surprised me with the award,” Hays said.

Members of the USA Track and Field developmental staff voted on the award, which is presented annually at the Summit. Lane Maestretti was in charge of UCS’ preparation for the Summit, and he was adamant about getting the reluctant Hays to speak.

“I basically told Lane no. I told him I was too busy,” Hays said. “He kept after me.”

Hays had no idea he was even being considered for the award, and was clueless until the presented it to him.

“They didn’t want to hear me talk as much as they wanted to give me the award,” Hays joked.

Hays credited his athletes — specifically Jordan Scott — for earning him the award. Scott won the pole vault at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championship and won six Big 12 pole vaulting crowns in his career.

“I won because Jordan won the national title. Through the years I’ve had vaulters break records and had seven of them win the national title,” Hays said. “I’m not saying I deserved it but I think it helped because I’ve been around awhile.”

Indeed, before coming to KU, where he is currently in his seventh year as coach, Hays also spent time coaching at Arizona, Wichita State and Nevada. As a competitor, he was a national runner-up in the pole vault in high school. At Kansas he was a student assistant. He has been successful everywhere he has coached, for which he credits the coaching staffs.

“Everywhere I’ve been, the coaches have allowed me to go after good pole vaulters. Without the head coach being excited about the event we could never be successful.”

Hays said he gets a big thrill seeing his athletes get excited over being successful, something that keeps him going every year.

“A couple of years ago I felt burnt out,” Hays said. “A good friend asked me what I was thinking. He told me getting to go out and coach young kids is like recess. It’s not a job to me.”

Along with Scott, some of Hays’ other successful athletes are Kate Sultanova, who was a four time All-American for the Jayhawks, and Amy Linnen, who was the 2002 and 2005 NCAA indoor pole vault champion and currently hold’s the indoor pole vault record.

[belmore]

Congratulations to a great Coach. Way to go Tom.