Congratulations Bill Hayes & Audley Bell! Historic Demon Deacons Honored as Trailblazer Award Recipients

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest will celebrate Bill Hayes and posthumously honor Audley Bell on Saturday, Feb. 1 as the University's next Robert Grant and Butch Henry Trailblazer Award honorees.

Hayes was the first Black assistant coach in Wake Forest and Atlantic Coast Conference history when he joined the Demon Deacons football staff in 1973. Meanwhile, Bell became the first Black ACC and Wake Forest tennis player when he joined the Demon Deacons tennis team in 1972. The Wake Forest Trailblazer award was created in 2021 named in honor of the first Black football student-athletes to enroll at a Division I institution in the South – Robert Grant and Kenneth "Butch" Henry.

Members of the Wake Forest community, including football and tennis alumni, that are interested and would like more information about the upcoming ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 1 should contact Assistant Athletic Director, Donor Experience Allison Edwards (edwardsa@wfu.edu).

Wake Forest encourages all fans to read these profiles of these trailblazing Demon Deacons:

"Wake Forest University has established a cherished tradition of honoring those who paved the way for future generations, and this year, we are privileged to recognize two extraordinary individuals with our Trailblazer Award: Audley Bell and Bill Hayes," said John Currie, Wake Forest Vice President & Director of Athletics. "Audley Bell's courage and determination as the first Black tennis player in the ACC, coupled with his remarkable career as a global leader, educator, and advocate, set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire. Bill Hayes, a visionary leader and titan in the world of college football, has been a mentor, innovator, and trailblazer whose impact extends far beyond the game. Both men embody the values of Wake Forest: integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to lifting others. While Audley is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, and we are proud to celebrate his and Bill's remarkable contributions to our history.

"When we inaugurated this award in November 2021 by honoring Robert Grant and Kenneth 'Butch' Henry, it was an unforgettable ceremony that brought together alumni and community members to celebrate two individuals who made history as the first Black football student-athletes to enroll at a Division I institution in the South. That moment reinforced the significance of this award, now one of Wake Forest's signature honors, standing alongside recognitions such as the Arnold Palmer, Marge Crisp, and Ron & Linda Wellman Life Teammate Awards.

"Last year, we had the privilege of honoring Keeva Jackson-Breland and Sonya Henderson, the first two Black female student-athletes at Wake Forest. Their courage, talent, and perseverance left an indelible mark on our University and paved the way for countless others. This year's ceremony, the third in this series, will once again allow us to honor trailblazers who represent the very best of Wake Forest's legacy of excellence and inclusion."

Award Information

The Robert Grant and Kenneth "Butch" Henry Trailblazer Award was created to recognize the significance of the first Black football players at Wake Forest University and the historical role Wake Forest Athletics played in integrating Division I sports in the South. Being the first Black football players took Courage to take to the field on behalf of their teammates and the Wake Forest community, despite the risks. It took deep Faith to believe that their teammates, the coaching staff, and the Wake Forest community would offer steady support during critical times. As Transformational leaders, it took Trusting in their abilities, talents and tremendous fortitude to persevere, that would set trails, often not traveled, ablaze, lighting the way and leaving paths of success for all of the athletes yet to come in the south. Hence, this award celebrates Wake Forest student-athletes, alumni, staff and community members who have blazed trails in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity and other important social issues that better the lives of others in the Pro Humanitate tradition that is the central spirit of Wake Forest University.

Award Recipients

Bob Grant and Butch Henry were honored on the weekend of Nov. 13, 2021.
Keeva Jackson-Breland and Sonya Henderson were honored on the weekend of Oct. 27-29, 2023.
- Wake Forest Athletics will share unique content from the ceremony and throughout that weekend on @DemonDeacons, @WakeFB and @WakeMTennis.
There is no minimum or maximum number of honorees per year, and nominees (which can be sent to wfsports@wfu.edu) will be reviewed by the Trailblazer Award Committee.

Trailblazer Award Committee

Phil Barnhill '91
Steve Bowden '72
Dr. Janice Collins '86
Tracy Connor - Riddick '96, PA '99
Arin Dunn - Sr. Associate AD, Student-Athlete Development, Administration
Dr. Herman Eure PHD '74, P '23
Barry Faircloth '93, P '22, P '23
Cynthia Kelley '99
Dwight Lewis P '24, P '26
Gil McGregor '81
Roxann Moody '82
Bill Overton '68
Jody Puckett '70, P '00
Kevin Smith '00
Barbara Walker

Editor's Note: Maryland, who was a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference for 62 years, was the first school in the conference to integrate its Athletes program when Daryl Hill enrolled in 1963.

Wake Forest Athletics

Congratulations Bill Hayes & Audley Bell! Historic Demon Deacons Honored as Trailblazer Award Recipients

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