Vicki Hays to Step Down As Women's Swim Coach

Harvard women's swimming Coach Vicki Hays will resign at the end of this season. Athletic Director John P Reardon '60 announced yesterday.

Effective later this spring, Hays' resignation comes after three and a half years at the helm of the Crimson squad and after 20 years in the sport.

"Twenty years is a long time," the freshman proctor and North Yard Senior Adviser said last night. "It's time to try and explore other areas."

Hayes added that she will probably leave Harvard.

"She's come to a point in her life where she's got to decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life," junior team member Mary Rentoumis said last night. "She's had to make a big career decision and she's decided she doesn't want to be a swim coach for the rest of her life," Rentoumis added.

Since taking over the women's program in 1980-81, Hays' teams have compiled a 20-13 record, including a 3-2 marks this year. The 1978 Stanford University graduate's best record came in the 1981-82 season. when Harvard posted a 6-2 mark and finished third in the Ivies.

The announcement in a team meeting last Friday came almost four years after the controversial resignation of Hays' predecessor. Stephanie Walsh, who cited problems with the Athletic Department and Harvard men's Coach Joe Bernal as her reasons for departure.

But both Hays and team members confirmed last night that Hays's departure is strictly for personal reasons. "There were no problems," Rentoumis said. "Vicki just decided that 20 years is enough."