VALLEY FORGE, Pa. -- Allegheny College head men's and women's tennis coach Dave Hayden was named the 2025 Edwin J. Faulkner College Coach of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Middle States section.

USTA Middle States annually recognizes excellence in tennis, honoring the volunteers, organizations, programs and members who have done an outstanding job on and off the court to help promote the growth of tennis. The winners are chosen through a representation of USTA Middle States volunteers and staff, working together to compile nominations from each of the six Middle States districts: Allegheny Mountain, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Philadelphia Area.

The award is named after the late Edwin J. Faulkner, an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and Swarthmore College Hall of Famer, who is widely recognized as one of the sport's most influential instructors. It is presented annually at the high school and collegiate level to those who have made an impact on the growth of tennis in the Middle States section.

An advocate for the sport and the USTA Middle States for more than three decades, Hayden has spearheaded Allegheny's tennis renaissance over the past four years. Under his leadership, the Gator men and women have combined for six Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championships, four Player of the Year awards, three Newcomer of the Year awards, and are undefeated in regular-season matches against conference opponents. A five-time PAC Coach of the Year at Allegheny, Hayden earned additional accolades in 2023 as the ITA/Wilson Central Region and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Pennsylvania Coach of the Year.

A former Allegheny Mountain District president and board member, Hayden has served the USTA Middle States in an administrative capacity, including roles as a tournament director and mentor to coaches and players throughout the region. He was previously recognized by the Allegheny Mountain District as both the 2010 Tournament Director of the Year and 2013 High School Coach of the Year while leading his alma mater, Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh.