CityView Magazine

12 August 2022 at home. e crowds played a very big part in that, and I appreciate them for it." Fayetteville State has fielded a football team for more than a century. e Broncos enjoyed their most successful era between 2000 and 2012 under Phillips, a former East Carolina University defensive back who won 75 games and led FSU to three championships — in 2002, 2003 and 2009 — in the NCAA Division II's Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. But Phillips was replaced as FSU head coach aer a 2-8 finish in 2012. e Broncos appeared to be on the rebound under Phillips' successor, Lawrence Kershaw, but he was dismissed in December 2015 aer three seasons on the job and a 15-15 overall record. Enter Hayes, who had been defensive coordinator for CIAA powerhouse Winston-Salem State. e Rams won 60 games and three league championships during Hayes' tenure on the staff. Bennett, an FSU graduate, had previously worked with Hayes at Winston-Salem State and believed his philosophy was the right fit for the Broncos. "I could kind of tell the guys that were here at the time weren't quite used to having the success I was used to coming from Winston- Salem State," Hayes says. "So my big thing was to try to get the right kids in here with the right mindset, who wanted to be good football players and good students as well. "We didn't get to recruit anybody that first year, so we played with what we had. e second year, I brought that crowd of freshmen in here. ose are the kids that just le aer five years, who brought a winning attitude. ey are going to be hard to replace." Aer going 4-6 in his debut season at FSU, Hayes' teams have gone 6-5, 6-3, 8-3 and 8-2 overall and have lost just four games in CIAA regular-season play. ose records might have been even better if not for COVID-19, which led the CIAA to cancel the 2020 football season. Fayetteville State would have been one of the favorites to win the title that year. As the Broncos prepare for a highly anticipated 2022 season opener against regional rival UNC Pembroke on Sept. 3 at Jeralds Stadium, Hayes must find replacements for 22 players who completed their eligibility at the end of last season. Fayetteville State's football success in recent years has made its home field a challenging place to play for opponents because of the enthusiasm of alumni, students and fans. These Bronco faithful enjoy the atmosphere at a 2018 game.

• Cover