News

Wake Forest’s Jacori Hayes Wins the 2016 Senior CLASS Award® for Men’s Soccer

December 08, 2016

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (December 8, 2016) – Wake Forest midfielder Jacori Hayes has been selected through nationwide balloting as the 2016 Senior CLASS Award® winner in NCAA® Division I men’s soccer.

The award, chosen by a vote of Division I men’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award—presented annually in 10 NCAA sports—focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Hayes is the second Wake Forest student-athlete to win the Senior CLASS Award behind fellow men’s soccer player Sam Cronin in 2008.

“I am very honored to win the Senior CLASS Award,” said Hayes, whose Demon Deacons will take on the University of Denver in tomorrow’s NCAA College Cup semifinals. “This is one of the highest honors a student-athlete can earn, and I am truly amazed. I want to thank my mother, family, friends and coaches who have supported me throughout not just my time at Wake Forest, but in anything I’ve wanted to accomplish. This award speaks to the great work Wake Forest student-athletes are doing on the field, in the classroom and for our community, and I’m humbled to be able to represent all of them because I’m not the only one out there helping us win and giving back to the community that has given us so much.”

Already named first-team All-ACC and first-team NSCAA All-South Region along with teammate and fellow Senior CLASS Award All-American Ian Harkes, Hayes has earned a reputation as one of the most skilled men’s collegiate soccer players in the nation, being selected as one of 15 finalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy. Starting all 23 games this season, Hayes led the Demon Deacons with eight goals and 19 points to go with three assists. A dynamic player under pressure, of his 13 goals in the last two seasons, 10 have gone down as game-winners, including three this postseason. His first-team All-ACC honor was the second consecutive for Hayes, who also earned ACC All-Tournament Team honors for his work throughout the ACC Championship.

Equally as impressive in the classroom, Hayes maintains an impressive 3.758 GPA as a physics major and has earned three ACC All-Academic Team nods, one CoSIDA Academic All-District honor and one NSCAA Scholar All-South Region honor during his career.

“I am extremely excited for Jacori to be recognized with the Senior CLASS Award,” said Head Coach Bobby Muuss. “This award is one of the most prestigious awards there is in college athletics, and what Jacori has been able to accomplish on and off the field is truly remarkable. He is a young man with tremendous character and has a very bright future ahead of him no matter what avenue he elects to pursue.”

Beyond the areas of competition and classroom, Hayes has maintained a high level of personal character throughout his college career and has prioritized community service and outreach. Throughout his time at Wake Forest, Hayes has worked with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Santa’s Helpers, helping the men’s soccer team win the 2015-16 CHAMPS Cup for the most community service hours among all Wake Forest athletic programs. In addition to community service, Hayes also helps local kids develop their soccer skills by serving as a coach at nearly all men’s soccer camps and clinics.

“We’re thrilled that Jacori Hayes was voted as the men’s soccer winner,” said Senior CLASS Award Executive Director Erik Miner. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, a committed student, and a highly respected young man, and we offer our sincere congratulations to Jacori, his team and the entire university.”

For more information, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.

Men’s Soccer 2016 Winner

First Team

Second Team