NEWARK, Del. -- Liz Hayes, who played two seasons at the University of Delaware before finishing her career at American University, has returned to the Blue Hens to serve as the director of women’s basketball operations, UD head coach Tina Martin announced Thursday.

A native of Easton, Pa., Hayes (at right) earned her degree in public communications with honors from American this past spring and was named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year twice. She also was named to the Patriot League Academic All-Star team three times and earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine/College Sports Information Directors of America District 2 All-Academic team in 2008.

Her responsibilities will include coordinating team travel, coordinating recruiting visits, handling business operations, serving as staff liaison to UD compliance, business, and equipment rooms, and assisting in scheduling of practices and competition. She replaces Alison Pate, who resigned this past spring to pursue a similar position in the National Basketball Association.

“We are excited to have Liz back here at the University of Delaware and join our staff,” said Martin. “Liz was an intelligent player who always worked extremely hard and we know she will bring those outstanding characteristics to this position.”

Hayes earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a guard this past season when she led the Eagles to an 18-14 record, the Patriot League regular season title, and a berth in the Women’ National Invitation Tournament under head coach Melissa McFerrin. American was upset in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals but advanced to the WNIT where they fell to Villanova in the opening round.

She led the team with a 12.9 scoring average and also led the squad with 66 three-pointers (second in the Patriot League) and 3.1 assists per game while shooting .759 from the free throw line to rank fourth in the league. She scored in double figures 22 times and surpassed the 20-point mark three times.

After sitting out the 2005-06 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Hayes made an immediate impact at American, earning second team All-Patriot League honors after averaging a team-best 14.4 points per game and dishing out a team-high 92 assists. She set AU records for three-point field goals in a game (seven vs. Delaware) and a season (78) and scored a career-high 30 points vs. Monmouth. A member of the Patriot League All-Tournament team, she also shot .883 from the foul line for the season.

Hayes was a four-time All-Mountain Valley Conference selection at Easton Area High School, earned All-State honors twice, and received All-American notice by Street & Smith’s as a senior. She averaged doubles figures in scoring all four years and set school record for points (1,827) and three-pointers (129) in a career while also dishing out 263 assists and recording 191 steals in 102 games.

She earned a scholarship to Delaware under Martin and played two seasons for the Blue Hens. She averaged 6.6 points per game, including a season-high 17 points vs. St. John’s, and set a UD freshman record with 33 three-pointers as a rookie in 2003-04 when the team went 19-10 and advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals.

As a sophomore, Hayes played in all 31 games and averaged 4.1 points per game while ranking second on the team with 33 three-pointers. The Blue Hens went 25-6, captured the CAA regular season title, and advanced to the WNIT.

Hayes will reside in the Newark area.