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Hays celebrates 90th birthday |
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Joe Hayes, Sr., holding his great-grandson Jake Hayes, celebrates his 90th birthday on Monday, April 2. Joining him are his family (L-R) Karla Hayes, Joe W. Hayes, Jr., Tessa Hayes, and Joe W. Hayes III holding his son Joe W. Hayes IV.Photo By: Don Rice
Woody Morgan, Staff Writer
When you look into the eyes of Joe Hayes, you can see history staring back at you.
From the first Model T’s to World War II to the history of the Panhandle, Hayes has been there.
On Monday, April 2, Hayes, a former basketball coach and administrator with the Phillips Blackhawks turned 90-years-old and celebrated the day with family and friends including his son, Joe, who also shares the same birthday.
Hayes, who coached Phillips basketball from 1945-55, is a member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame as well as the West Texas Hall of fame. Hayes entered the Panhandle Hall of Fame in 1994 and in 1999 he was inducted into the West Texas Hall of Fame where he starred in both football and basketball.
Hayes has a colorful background in sports including his participation in the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, the Sun Bowl Tournament in 1938-39 and made the all tourney team.
Hayes also played in the NAIA tournament in Kansas City as a member of West Texas in 1939.
When Hayes went into the service during World War II, he was assigned to the Norfolk Naval Air Station where he played basketball and competed against the best college teams of the era including Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Duke, and William and Mary among other college programs.
“We were very good but the college teams were not as good as they could have been because a lot of the players had joined the service,” Hayes said.
During his naval playing days, his team was ranked third in the final national ratings in 1943. In 1944, they finished second in the nation and in 1945 his team finished number one nationally.
Hayes began his coaching career in Allison and moved to Plemons in 1940 and then became head basketball coach of assistant football coach at Phillips.
Hayes coached the Blackhawks to seven appearances in the regional tournament in 10 years at the helm but as he said they were never able to advance to the state tournament.
Following his stint as a coach Hayes became an administrator. In 1976 Hayes left the academic environment to go to work as business manager and tax assessor.
Hayes retired in 1984.
Hayes said he is most proud of the students who came through Phillips High School who went on to live successful lives.
“I am also glad to see the reunions for Phillips because it gives me a chance to see all the students and athletes again each year,” Hayes said.
Today he lives alone after his wife passed away in 1990. Hayes said while Nell Blum Hayes was originally from North Carolina, she was Texas to the core.
Hayes said he remembers some great athletes from his days at Phillips could not pick out just one.
“We had some good kids and some good teams at Phillips,” Hayes remembered.
Hayes can still be seen stopping for coffee at several spots in Borger where he visits with longtime friends.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, April 04 2007 )
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