Constancia Simpson Hayes Named Track Coach at Delaware State

Dover, DE --- Delaware State University has hired Constancia (Kon-ston'-see-ah) Simpson Hayes as the university's new women's track and field/cross country head coach. Simpson Hayes will also serve as the Senior Woman's Administrator for DSU's Department of Athletics.

Constancia Simpson Hayes

The appointment fills a vacancy in the DSU track and field program created by the retirement of long-time men's coach Joe Burden in June 2000. Since Burden's departure, Duane Henry has served as head coach of the Hornets' men's and women's track and field, and cross-country teams.

The past four years Simpson Hayes, 44, was an assistant men's and women's track and field coach/assistant women's cross country coach/middle distance specialist at St. John's University in New York.

While at St. John's, she coached two Big East championships, one All-America, and a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team.

This past spring, Simpson Hayes was selected as an assistant women's track and field coach for the 2001 USA team at the Eighth International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Indoor World Championships in Lisbon, Portugal.

In 1999, Simpson Hayes was an assistant manager at the First Youth Athletics World Championships in Bydgosh, Poland.

"We are fortunate to have someone with coach Simpson Hayes' credentials join our staff," DSU Director of Athletics Dr. Hallie Gregory said. "St. John's is recognized as one of the top track and field programs in the country, and she played a major role in the program's success the past four years. Her national exposure, in addition to her contacts in the New York City area, will also help us efforts to recruit top-notch athletes to our track and field programs."

Simpson Hayes was also one of the top high school and youth coaches in New York City from the mid-1980s to mid-90s. In 1991, she led the Paul Robeson High School girls 1600-meter relay team to New York City and State championships. From 1986 to 1997, she also served as head coach of the New York City Police Athletic League track and field team.

Simpson Hayes began her track and field career with the NYC Police Athletic League as a youngster in 1970. She was a member of the sprint medley relay team that captured the 1973 U.S. Junior National Championship. She was also selected to the 1974 and 1975 U.S. Junior National teams.

"Delaware State has a rich track and field tradition, and I am hoping to build on the success of the program," said Simpson Hayes. "I can't wait for the season to begin."

Simpson Hayes and her family immigrated to the United States from Panama City, Panama in 1959. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from New York University in 1979, and a Master of Social Work from NYU. A certified social worker, Simpson Hayes has 17 years experience as a therapist in the mental health field.

She and husband Jeffrey have two children, Jasmine, 13, and Jamila, 8.

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