AthleticsA Unique Leadership OpportunityNo Author ProvidedSeptember 22, 2021Invalid ImageNo Image Credit ProvidedNo Caption ProvidedAn invitation from the 1-94 Field Artillery Regiment of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord provided Seattle U Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jim Hayford a unique platform to speak on the topic of leadership.The leadership development series, held Sept. 14-17, was created to provide soldiers with an expanded understanding of what being a leader is by seeking expertise from civilian perspectives. “What an incredible honor to have the opportunity to speak to and engage with these heroes,” Hayford says of the experience. “The dialogue on leadership was great and I could not have enjoyed the experience more.” Hayford, in his 23rd year as a men’s basketball coach, connected with soldiers on leadership intangibles that have shaped his successful career, including more than 400 wins, 11 postseason appearances, six conference titles and five conference “Coach of the Year” honors. In four seasons at Seattle U, Hayford has compiled a 64-55 record, two WAC Tournament semifinal appearances in three years and the program’s highest seed (third) in the WAC Tournament. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of their final two regular season games, the WAC Tournament and any potential postseason play. The 2021-22 Redhawks return all five starters from last season, including the league’s two top scorers in Darrion Trammell and Riley Grigsby.