SCACA honors late Wando icon, Bob Hayes

The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA) recently announced that Bob Hayes, former athletic director and football coach at Wando High School, has been posthumously elected to the SCACA Hall of Fame. He will be inducted with the rest of the Class of 2021 on July 25, 2021, during the SCACA’s Annual Awards Ceremony at the Greenville Convention Center.

Hayes passed away at the age of 60 last June.

“Bob Hayes was a pillar of the CCSD community and the South Carolina High School League but especially the Wando High School Community – our students, our athletes, our faculty and staff,” said Wando’s principal, Dr. Sherry Eppelsheimer. “It is impossible to describe how much he meant to all of us. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Bob for 13 years and call him a true friend. He stood for all that is great about our school: commitment to students, athletes, family, and staff along with a dedication to excellence and an amazing work ethic.”

Hayes graduated from Coral Cables High School in Coral Gables, FL, then came to the Palmetto State to play football at Furman University. After graduating college, he spent 37 years in the coaching profession, including 33 in the Lowcountry, first at Stratford High School then the last 20 years at Wando High School. He served as the Warrior’s athletic director from 2000-2020 and the head football coach from 2000-2009.

During Coach Hayes’ tenure at Wando, the Warriors captured 53 state championships in various sports and seven Carlisle Cups (which recognizes the state’s most successful athletic program). He was an assistant coach at both the North-South All-Star Game and the Shrine Bowl, and won many other accolades including SCACA Athletic Director of the Year in 2017-18.