Arrigoni Hall of Fame
A trailblazer in women’s soccer and one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of the sport, Emma Hayes led Iona women’s soccer through a transformative era that helped launch a legendary career. From 2003-05, Hayes guided the Gaels to 22 victories - at the time, the most in any three-year stretch in program history - and earned MAAC Coach of the Year honors in 2004 after a six-win turnaround. Under her leadership, Iona earned back-to-back MAAC Championship berths, and Hayes recruited and mentored a generation of players who would go on to successful careers both on and off the field.
After leaving Iona, Hayes built a globally respected coaching résumé, highlighted by a record-breaking 12-year tenure at Chelsea FC Women, where she won 16 major trophies, including six FA Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups, and two League Cups. In 2021, she was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, a distinction she earned again in 2024 after leading the U.S. Women’s National Team to Olympic gold at the Paris Games.
A pioneer and advocate for women in sport, Hayes was the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or for women’s soccer coaches and has been honored with both MBE and OBE designations for her service to the game in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Women’s Super League Hall of Fame and has become a prominent voice in global soccer media, education, and leadership. In 2025, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Iona University and served as the keynote speaker at its 81st Commencement.
