EDMOND, Okla. (June 5, 2021) – The Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association inducted former Oklahoma Christian men's coach Dan Hays into its Hall of Fame on Saturday at Eddie's Event Center.

The OBCA Hall of Fame was the sixth into which Hays has been or will be inducted. He also a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the OC Athletic Hall of Fame and the Eastern New Mexico Hall of Honor and he'll be inducted later this year into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Another longtime OC coach – track and field legend Jeff Bennett, who's an assistant on the Eagles' staff in that sport – introduced Hays for induction on Saturday. Bennett already has been inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

For decades, Hays has been one of the most influential people in Oklahoma basketball. He coached the Eagles for 33 seasons before stepping down after the 2015-16 season. He finished his career with 724 collegiate coaching wins, the most by any coach at a four-year Oklahoma college. He posted a 653-402 mark at OC and now serves as a special assistant to one of his former players, current OC head coach Kendre Talley.

In 2017, the National Association of Basketball Coaches honored Hays with its prestigious Guardians of the Game award for service, which recognizes coaches who serve as community leaders who help enhance their communities through civic involvement.

Hays was named Sooner Athletic Conference coach of the year five times (1985, 1986, 1989, 1999, 2005) and NAIA District 9 coach of the year twice (1981, 1985).