Daelin Hayes, a 2020 Notre Dame graduate and former standout linebacker with the Fighting Irish football team, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Frazier Thompson Award. The award is named in honor of Frazier Thompson (‘47, track & field), Notre Dame’s first Black Monogram winner, and recognizes outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion by Monogram Club members and others in the Notre Dame community.
The Notre Dame Athletics Department and Monogram Club announced the creation of the Frazier Thompson Award in March of 2021. The award is aligned with other athletics department initiatives related to diversity, inclusion and engagement, including the StaND Together platform. StaND Together, which was launched in the summer of 2020 by Notre Dame student-athletes, focuses on six main avenues for change: listen, amplify, focus, diversify, engage and vote.
Hayes was an impactful player and leader during his time at Notre Dame. In 2020, he was the driving force behind the football team hosting a Juneteenth rally on campus for the Notre Dame community. As a fifth-year senior, he was voted team captain and helped the Fighting Irish reach the College Football Playoff. Along with earning All-ACC accolades in 2020 for his play on the field, Hayes received the Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award, which goes to a collegiate football player who has impacted the lives of others through giving and community service. He also was a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Congratulations @DaelinHayes_IX, the inaugural recipient of the Frazier Thompson Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion.#staNDtogether pic.twitter.com/nXWOJxZcxg
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 25, 2022
The Baltimore Ravens selected Hayes in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. During his time in Baltimore, Hayes has immersed himself in the local community. He volunteers his time with several organizations, including the Webster Kendrick Boys & Girls Club, Brooklyn O’Malley Boys & Girls Club, St. Francis Neighborhood Center, Mentoring Mentors, Van Brooks Safe Center, St. Vincent’s Villa and Women’s Housing Coalition.
“I have always strived to leave things in a better place than when I found them,” said Hayes. “I take great pride in being a Notre Dame graduate and former student-athlete. The type of people who go to Notre Dame are the type of people you expect to change the world.”
Hayes will be recognized during Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game. As a Frazier Thompson Award recipient, Hayes will receive a $10,000 grant to be donated to an organization that will further diversity and inclusion efforts. Grants will be funded by the creation of the Frazier Thompson Award Fund, generously gifted and endowed through the benefaction of Monogram Club President Don Casey (’82, ’83, swimming) and his wife, Ann.
“The Monogram Club is extremely proud to launch the Frazier Thompson Award, and I cannot think of a better first recipient than Daelin Hayes,” said Don Casey. “Daelin is a tremendous example of what it means to utilize your platform in a positive and meaningful way. Many of the Monogram Club leadership team and staff were at the Juneteenth rally. I was so impressed and moved by what he said that day and the leadership he showed throughout his Notre Dame career. He impacted so many in the Notre Dame community through his commitment to bring people together and give back. It is no surprise he has continued that work during his time in Baltimore.”
Learn more about the Frazier Thompson Award.
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