DETROIT (2/8/2021) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse program announced today that former standout Charlie Hayes has been promoted to assistant coach.

Hayes had served as a graduate assistant and Director of Lacrosse Operations last year and as a student coach in 2019. 

"Charlie is someone that I have known since high school and his work ethic and drive is one of the best I have ever seen and will make a major impact on this program," said head coach Chris Kolon '09 (MBA). "Our culture is built on family and having a former Titan on the sidelines who helped guide and shape that foundation will be outstanding for our program."

The native of Shelby Township, Michigan, and product of Eisenhower High School has played professionally with the Denver Outlaws of the MLL the last two years, helping the team reach the championship game in both seasons. In 21 career games with the Outlaws, he tallied five goals, 48 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. 

"I can't thank coach Kolon and the Athletic Department enough for this opportunity," said Hayes. "From the first day I stepped on campus at Detroit Mercy as a freshman, I have taken great pride in representing this team and this program. Throughout my time at Detroit Mercy, our lacrosse program has taken great strides and I am excited for what the future holds. I can't wait to get started in this new role!"

The short-stick defensive midfielder starred for the Titans from 2015-18, helping the team to its first two winning seasons, a school record for wins, three postseason trips and advancing to one MAAC Championship game.

Hayes was one of the best defensive midfielders right from the start as a freshman and earned First Team All-MAAC Short Stick Midfield and MAAC All-Tournament as a senior and Second Team All-MAAC as a junior.

In his final year as a Titan in 2018, he tallied career highs with 34 caused turnovers and 83 ground balls - both team highs - to go with a career-best 14 points on nine goals and five helpers. He led the MAAC and was seventh in the nation with 2.13 caused turnovers per game, the seventh-highest rate in school history, while the 34 total caused turnovers were tied for the most ever by a short stick midfielder in NCAA history. 

His 83 ground balls was second in school history and second in the MAAC, while his 5.13 ground balls per game were third in the league and 26th in the nation.

He ended his career playing in 58 total games with 70 caused turnovers and 1.21 caused turnovers per game, both third in school history, along with 147 ground balls, sixth in the record books, and 21 points on 15 goals and six assists.

Off the field, he was a three-time member of the Detroit Mercy Athletic Director's Honor Roll and a two-time recipient of the MAAC Academic Honor Roll and All-Academic Team. 

He graduated with a degree in Business in 2018 and a MBA from the University in 2020.