Sports Extra

Long-time Western Mustangs men’s basketball coach Doug Hayes passed away on Saturday morning at age 68 after a long battle with illness.

He is sadly missed by his wife, Lauretta, and three children, Derek, Kelly, Tim, and brother, Gary.

A funeral service will be held at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland North, on Friday Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. There is a reception to celebrate Doug’s life after the service at Aroma Restaurant, 717 Richmond Street, where all of the people Doug has touched – his family, ex-students, ex-players, former faculty members and his many friends – can reminisce about what Doug meant to them. They can share stories about how Doug took an interest in people, cared for them, and made them laugh.

Hayes was hired in 1969 as a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education at Western and was Professor Emeritus in the School of Kinesiology.

Hayes coached football and men’s and women’s basketball during his time at Western. He coached six Ontario Championship teams, eight League Champions and assisted in one CIAU Championship team.

He was named OUAA Coach of the Year in 1976.

Hayes was also coach of the men’s provincial basketball team that won a silver medal at the Canada Games in 1993.

“Doug was a tremendous leader of our program for over a decade,” said Western Mustangs men’s basketball head coach Brad Campbell. “His players loved him and had the ultimate respect for him. It is a sad time for our program.”

As an administrator at Western, Hayes was Men’s Athletic Coordinator (1988-1997) and Acting Chairman, Intercollegiate Athletics (1995-96).

His family thank the staff at McCormick Day Program, McGarrell Place, the South Street Hospital and Regional Mental Health Care for their devotion to caring for Doug when he was sick. You can donate in Doug’s name to Alzheimer Outreach Services of McCormick Home (AOS), or a charity of your choice.