A four-year swimmer at Manhattan College, joining the program one year after its inaugural season. By his junior year, the swim team became an official varsity program. The Bronx native served as the team's captain his senior year. Dubbed "The Iron Man" for swimming and scoring in many races at each competition, he dominated the 220-yard and 440-yard freestyle races throughout college. Hayes was undefeated as a freshman and he set the school record for 50-yard freestyle as a junior. Hayes took second his senior season in the backstroke behind a fellow Jasper who set a school record. Hayes also served as anchor on many Jasper relay squads.