Justin Hay
- M.S., Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, University of Southern Mississippi
- B.A., History, Faulkner University
Hired in June 2019, Justin Hay was promoted to associate athletic director for corporate relations/facilities and game-day operations two years later, and now serves as the deputy athletic director for external relations.
Under his leadership, Hay has helped upgrade many facilities. In his first two years, he oversaw the opening of the Neill McGeachy Sports Performance Center and the renovation of Moretz Gym. In addition, he managed improvements to both the women's soccer and volleyball locker rooms and the renovation of the golf team training space. In 2020, Hay headed up the project to AstroTurf the entire baseball field and managed the removal of the prior surface and the installation of the new field. Additionally, in 2021, he led the renovation to Shuford Gymnasium, which includes fresh paint, lights, sound system, bleachers and a new court.
In addition, Hay continues to expand corporate partnerships portfolio by adding new community sponsors to support Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics. His success in adding additional corporate partners is primarily tied to his ability to diversify the LR Athletics advertising portfolio through the web stream, in-game promotions, social media and unique community partnerships. Additionally, he has excelled in developing relationships with the local business community.
Hay also heads up the Bears Leadership Academy to help student-athletes develop leadership skills that will benefit the sport and transcend their future careers and lives.
Hay came to the Bears after spending five years as an assistant baseball coach and three years as the assistant director of athletics for operations at Southwest Mississippi Community College. At Southwest Mississippi, Hay helped raise $191,000 in three years for facility improvements and increased annual fundraising by 300 percent. Additionally, he increased community involvement at home athletic events by creating the Bear Cubs Club and initiated and signed an Adidas apparel deal to increase department branding. Hay also created hospitality rooms at football and basketball games to entertain donors and potential donors and created Southwest Bears TV for live streaming.
In addition to his administrative work, Hay helped guide the Bears baseball team to their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2006. In the classroom, Hay's players were named National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic each of the years he coached, and 19 members of the 2018 team received academic honors.
Hay returned to the Division II level, where he spent two years as an assistant baseball coach and assistant athletic fields supervisor at Barton College.