Hayley Newby McRady

Inducted 2020

Women's Basketball

Few players in Lady Lion basketball history could take over a game the way 2020 FHU Hall of Fame inductee McRady did during her time with the Lady Lions, 2011-2015. The 2014-15 WBCA and NAIA National Player of the Year, a two-time First-Team NAIA All-American, a two-time WBCA All-American, a two-time Conference Player of the Year, and a three-time First-Team All-Conference selection, McRady solidified herself as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Lady Lion uniform

“Hayley’s basketball IQ and her work ethic were second to none. Nobody out-worked her, nobody out-thought her and nobody out-smarted her,” McRady’s coach Dale Neal said.

“She was a joy to coach, and she was a great teammate. She was self-motivated and always strived for excellence. She was a fierce competitor and a great leader. As captain, she was a great role model and tremendous example to the younger players of what a Lady Lion should be on and off the court. She showed everyone what hard work will do for a player and what it takes to become the NAIA Player of the Year,” Neal said.

McRady is No. 7 all-time in Lady Lion scoring with 1,841 points and No. 4 all-time in rebounds with 1,091. In her career, she averaged just over 13 points per game and just under eight rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. In her junior and senior seasons, she averaged a double-double, 19.3 points per contest and 11 rebounds a game in her junior season and 17.8 points and 10.5 rebounds her senior year.

A strong leader and excellent student, McRady was the team captain for two years and a three-time AMC Scholar-Athlete and two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

“I’m very honored and excited to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. So many great athletes came before me, especially in the Lady Lion basketball program, so it is truly an honor to be inducted,” McRady said. “When I began my basketball career at FHU, I just wanted to play and contribute to my team’s success. The Lady Lion basketball program has a reputation for being successful, and I was just thankful to be a part of it and have the opportunity to play the game I love. This honor is just an added bonus on top of the success my team and I had during my time as a Lady Lion. I’m thankful for the four years I was able to wear a Lady Lion uniform, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

McRady is the 15th Lady Lion basketball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She and her husband Daniel McRady live in Nashville where she works for Hospital Corporation of America.