DUDLEY, Mass. (7/16/2025) – Nichols College Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes has announced that he has accepted an Associate Director of Athletics position at the University of Connecticut.
"Serving as the Director of Athletics at Nichols College over the past three years has been a very rewarding experience. We've celebrated conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and most importantly, the growth and success of our student-athletes on and off the field." Said Hayes, "I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished, and I am grateful to the coaches, staff, and student-athletes who made these achievements possible."
Hayes served as the Vice President & Director of Athletics from 2022 to 2025. His tenure was filled with many highlights including the 2023 men's basketball run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, the 2025 men's volleyball team pulling off one of the greatest upsets in Division III Volleyball history with their victory over No. 3 Stevens Institute of Technology in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, the men's tennis program winning four consecutive conference championships, the 2024-25 women's tennis team capturing its first Conference of New England Championship since 2018, the 2024 baseball team winning a program-best 29 games, and the 2025 softball team winning a program-record 32 games.
In the 2023-24 season, Hayes and the Division of Athletics saw the College's largest number of Player of the Year honorees with six student-athletes earning the accolade: Colby Mitchell (Golf), Johnny Knox (Baseball), Leon Zeis (Tennis), Johanna Schroeder (Tennis), Tavon Jones (Basketball), and Jack Normandin (Volleyball). Knox was also named an Academic All-American; Nichols' first Academic All-American in 11 years.
Hayes' efforts were impactful on the Bison Club and the annual Bison Blitz fundraising initiative. Total gifts to Athletics reached a record-high in 2025, alongside steady growth over the last three years with Bison Blitz increasing by nearly 19%, and the Bison Club membership increasing by 16%.
Hayes established an annual dinner to honor championship teams, led the effort to create an academic support space for student-athletes, expanded roster sizes, and added women's golf as a varsity sport.
Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Kristan Mallet has been named the Interim Director of Athletics.
