While there he was a member of several athletic clubs but it was the ice hockey team that would garner him the most fame.

[1] He began attending Princeton University that following fall and was a star for the freshman team.

he joined the varsity as a sophomore and was one of the top scorers for the Tigers, helping the team compile a good record in 1923–24.

Sayles returned to his alma mater and served as the head coach for Phillips for two years.

After two seasons, he assumed a similar role with the Pomfret School before accepting a job as the head coach for Williams in 1929.