ST. PAUL, Minn. – A familiar face is returning to the University of Northwestern as Jay Mayes has been hired as the new Men's Lacrosse Head Coach. Following three years with the program, Coach Sanders is stepping away from the position as he and his family are moving to Florida to be closer to their family.
"I'm humbled by the opportunity to return to UNW and to lead the Men's Lacrosse program," said Mayes. "I am so proud and thankful for Coach Sanders. What an amazing job that he has done growing the program over the last few years. Just this year, the program earned MLC championships and the program's first NCAA appearance. It is my hope to continue the success the program has earned under Coach Sanders."
Mayes previously served as the Eagles' head coach in 2018, leading the second-year program to their first winning season. The Eagles finished that 2018 season with a 9-4 record, improving from 5-7 in 2017, and closed out the year with a seven-game win streak.
"We are excited to welcome back Coach Mayes to Eagle Lacrosse," said Dr. Matt Hill, UNW Director of Athletics. "He played an integral part in the early stages of development of the program. Coach Sanders did a great job of guiding this team to its first ever MLC Conference Championship and berth into the NCAA Playoffs so Jay is inheriting a very seasoned squad. I am grateful for the leadership of Coach Sanders over the past three years and wish him and his family the best in their next journey."
In 2021, the UNW Men's Lacrosse program went 7-4 overall with a perfect 6-0 record in conference play to earn their first MLC Conference Championship in program history. The Eagles proceeded to host the conference tournament championship game, which they won 17-4 over Monmouth to earn their first MLC Tournament Championship in program history. The tournament title victory earned the Eagles a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Eagles also earned numerous individual accolades during their landmark 2021 campaign, including 13 athletes earning MLC All-Conference honors.
Coming off their most successful season in program history, Coach Sanders sees a bright future for the program under Coach Mayes' leadership.
"Thank you to Dr. Hill for the opportunity to coach at Northwestern," said Coach Travis Sanders. "It's been an incredible three years, and I'm grateful to have helped build this program. Our success is due to the work and dedication of everyone on the team, and I'm proud of our guys for what they've accomplished and the culture they've built. The program has a very bright future under Coach Mayes."
As a high school senior in 1999, Mayes led McDonogh to the MIAA Championship and to the No. 1 high school team ranking in the nation. Mayes was recruited to Gettysburg College where he helped the Bullets to the No. 1 national ranking in back-to-back seasons, won three Centennial Conference Championships, and competed in two DIII National Championship games. As a senior, Mayes served as team captain and was named a 2004 All-Centennial Conference Midfielder.
In the years following his graduation from Gettysburg, Mayes worked as a Corporate Sales Intern with the Baltimore Ravens (NFL), Director of Corporate Sales for the Portland LumberJax (NLL), Corporate Sales Executive with the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and Lynx (WNBA), and Vice President of Partnership Sales with Hands On Sports & Entertainment (NASCAR/IFL).
Mayes made his return to lacrosse in 2014 at Gordon College, where he served as the Assistant Coach and Offensive & Recruiting Coordinator for four years. Following his 2018 season at UNW, Mayes went to the University of Arizona where he worked two years as the Men's Lacrosse Offensive Coordinator. This past spring, Mayes coached lacrosse as Houston Christian High School.
Coach Mayes is excited to return to Northwestern where two of his life's passions, faith and lacrosse, are combined.
"I absolutely loved my time at UNW, it is a really special place," said Mayes. "I really believe that it is the people at UNW that make the place so special. It's amazing. Everyone on campus, from President Cureton to Dr. Hill in the athletic department to the professors and staff on campus; everyone is focused around Northwestern's mission and growing young men and women closer to God."
The Eagles will begin their sixth season in the spring of 2022 as they will look to defend both their MLC Regular Season and Tournament Championships.