Jason Hayes begins his second season as head men's and women's tennis coach at Southeastern after a successful four-year stint at Texas Wesleyan University. During his tenure at TWU, he was twice named the Heart of Texas Conference Coach-of-the-Year while leading the Rams to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 1998.

Hayes began his coaching career as Assistant Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at his alma mater -- Cumberland (Tenn.) University. Hayes was also a Traveling Coach for Tennis Europe during the summer of 1998. This summer, he served as an instructor at the Manuel Diaz Tennis Camp and the Jeff Wallace Tennis Camp, both held at the University of Georgia.

"We are very pleased with the addition of Jason Hayes to our staff as Head Tennis Coach," Pergolizzi said. "Jason brings with him an excellent record of accomplishment from Texas Wesleyan as well as a genuine passion for excellence. I know that he will make a contribution to the overall improvement of both Southeastern tennis programs."

Hayes, a native of Paris, Ky., is a 1996 graduate of Cumberland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. He was an all-conference player at Cumberland, reaching the conference finals and receiving the team MVP Award during his senior season. Hayes, who played his first two seasons at Tyler (Tex.) Junior College, won more than 85 percent of his collegiate matches, which still ranks among the best winning percentages at Cumberland.