Andre’ Hayes

Andre’ was raised in a single-parent household in South Central Los Angeles. Determined to shield him from the challenges of their environment, his mother made significant sacrifices to enroll him in parochial schools throughout his pre-college education. In the fall of 1981, Andre’ began his studies at the University of Washington, where he also played football under Head Coach Don James (1981–1985). However, the transition to the demanding life of a student-athlete proved difficult, and due to a lack of academic preparedness, he faced academic dismissal—twice.

It was during his time at Seattle Central Community College that Andre’ recognized the value of the educational opportunity before him. With renewed focus, he improved his academic standing and eventually returned to the University of Washington, earning a degree in Criminal Justice in 1987.

In 1996, Andre’ co-wrote and self-published his first book, The Sport of Learning. His second book, Your Brain is a Muscle Too!, was published by HarperCollins in 2001. He began teaching high school in 1997 and became a fully credentialed educator in 2005. He completed a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education in 2009 and is currently in the research phase of his PhD journey.

Andre’ is a proud father of six children, three of whom he has been raising as a single father since the summer of 2012. His upcoming book, Dad Interrupted: Divorce, Custody, and Fighting to Be a Father, is slated for release in 2025.