Andrew Pace
The Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team, formerly known as the Seattle Chieftains, represents Seattle University in NCAA Division I basketball. The team has experienced success in the past, reaching the NCAA Division I tournament eleven times during the 1950s and 1960s. Due to budget problems in the late 1970s, the team moved down to NAIA in 1980 and later rejoined the NCAA as a Division III member. They then competed in Division II from 2002 to 2009 before rejoining Division I in 2008. The team is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference, which they joined in 2012.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Seattle Redhawks |
| University | Seattle University |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | Western Athletic Conference (WAC) |
| Previous Conference | Great Northwest Athletic Conference |
| Rival | University of Washington |
| Nickname | Redhawks |
| Colors | SU Red & White |
| Home Games Venue | KeyArena at Seattle Center |
| Head Coach | Chris Victor |
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What You'll Learn
Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team history
The Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team represents Seattle University in NCAA Division I basketball competition. The team was established in 1946 as the Seattle Chieftains and changed its name to the Redhawks in January 2000.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the program experienced significant success, reaching the NCAA Division I tournament eleven times. Led by Elgin Baylor, who would become the 1958 number one draft pick, Seattle finished as the runner-up in the 1958 NCAA University Division basketball tournament. Notable alumni from this era include Eddie Miles, Tom Workman, Rod Derline, and Clint Richardson, who won an NBA title with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983.
In 1980, due to budget problems, Seattle reclassified to NAIA and later rejoined the NCAA as a Division III member, followed by Division II in 2002. During this period, they joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and won a share of the regular-season title in 2007, earning an invitation to the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament.
In 2008, Seattle rejoined Division I, and in 2009, Cameron Dollar was hired as the new men's basketball head coach. The team resumed playing most of their home games at KeyArena, with select games at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington. In 2012, Seattle joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and has since claimed five team titles and three individual titles within the conference.
In recent years, the Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team has continued to pursue success in Division I. They won their first WAC tournament game in the 2014-15 season and earned an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational. In 2024, they won their first basketball championship, defeating High Point in the College Basketball Invitational.
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The team's division changes
The Seattle Redhawks, formerly known as the Seattle Chieftains, represent Seattle University in NCAA Division I basketball. The team's division has changed several times over the years, and here is a detailed breakdown of these changes:
The Early Years:
The Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team was established in 1946 and initially competed in the NCAA Division I, then known as the University Division. During the 1950s and 1960s, the team experienced significant success, reaching the NCAA Division I tournament eleven times and finishing as the runner-up in 1958.
Transition to NAIA:
In 1980, due to budget problems and the decline of local businesses such as Boeing, the team moved down to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). This transition marked a significant change as they left the NCAA Division I level. The Chieftains, as they were known then, competed at this level for the next 21 years.
Rejoining NCAA:
In 2001, Seattle University transitioned back to the NCAA, starting in Division III. The following year, in 2002, they moved up to Division II and joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. This period saw a resurgence in their basketball program, as they won a share of the regular-season title in 2007 and qualified for the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament, their first tournament appearance in decades.
Return to Division I:
In 2008, the Seattle Redhawks rejoined Division I basketball. They played as independents for the next three years before seeking a conference affiliation. During this time, they faced challenges in finding a suitable conference, as their applications to various conferences, including the West Coast Conference and Big Sky Conference, were turned down.
Joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC):
In 2012, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) invited Seattle to join, and they accepted. This move provided a stable conference affiliation and allowed them to compete at the highest level of college basketball. In the 2014-15 season, the Redhawks won their first WAC tournament game and earned an invite to the College Basketball Invitational. They continued to build on their success, making consecutive appearances in the CBI in 2016 and 2017.
Recent Developments:
In 2024, the Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team won their first basketball championship, claiming the College Basketball Invitational title. The university announced that it would rejoin the West Coast Conference as a full member in 2025, marking a return to their former conference after a 45-year absence.
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The team's conference changes
The Seattle Redhawks, formerly known as the Seattle Chieftains, have had a long and varied history in terms of their conference changes. Initially a part of the NCAA Division I from their establishment in 1946 to 1980, they experienced success during the 1950s and 1960s, reaching the NCAA Division I tournament eleven times. However, budget problems and a regional recession in the late 1970s led to drastic cuts, and the team moved down to the NAIA in 1980, competing at this level for the next 21 years.
In 2001, Seattle University rejoined the NCAA, competing in Division III for a year before moving to Division II from 2002 to 2009. During this time, they joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2002 and won a share of the regular-season title in 2007, earning an invitation to the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament.
In 2008, the program rejoined Division I, and in 2012, they accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). They had previously sought to rejoin the West Coast Conference, where they played from 1971 to 1980, but were turned down. As a member of the WAC, the Redhawks found success, winning their first WAC tournament game in the 2014-15 season and earning invitations to the College Basketball Invitational in 2015 and 2016.
In 2024, the men's basketball team won the College Basketball Invitational, and in 2025, they announced their return to the West Coast Conference as a full member, ending a 45-year absence. This move was expected to reignite rivalries with other Jesuit universities in Washington State, such as Gonzaga.
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The team's notable alumni
The Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team, representing Seattle University, has had a number of notable alumni over the years. The team has a rich history, experiencing success in the 1950s and 1960s, with 11 NCAA Division I tournament appearances. The team even reached the final of the 1958 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, led by the future number one draft pick, Elgin Baylor.
Some of the notable alumni of the Seattle University basketball team include:
Elgin Baylor:
Elgin Baylor is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished players in the team's history. He led the team to great success in the 1958 season and was the number one draft pick that year. Baylor's talent and leadership played a crucial role in establishing the team's reputation.
Johnny O'Brien and Eddie O'Brien:
The O'Brien brothers, Johnny and Eddie, are also notable alumni. They were integral members of the team during its early years and helped lay the foundation for the team's success.
Charlie Brown and Eddie Miles:
Charlie Brown and Eddie Miles were also part of the team's early glory days. They contributed to the team's achievements and were known for their skills and dedication to the sport.
Clint Richardson and John Tresvant:
Clint Richardson and John Tresvant were stand-out players who contributed to the team's success. Their talent and teamwork helped the Seattle Redhawks leave a mark in the world of college basketball.
Tom Workman, Frank Oleynick, and Charlie Williams:
These players were also key members of the team. Their contributions on the court were significant, and they played a vital role in the team's performance during their time at Seattle University.
Over the years, the Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team has faced various challenges, including budget issues, which led to reclassification and a temporary move away from Division I. However, the team persevered and eventually returned to the Division I level in 2008 or 2009, regaining its place in competitive college basketball.
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The team's recent performance
The Seattle Redhawks, representing Seattle University, compete in the NCAA Division I. The team was previously known as the Seattle Chieftains and has experienced success in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching the NCAA Division I tournament eleven times.
The Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team has had a mixed bag of results in recent years. They won their first WAC tournament game in the 2014-15 season, beating Chicago State and UMKC, before eventually losing to New Mexico State in the finals. This was the team's first appearance in a Division I postseason tournament since 1969. In the 2015-16 season, they were invited to the CBI for the second consecutive year but fell to Vermont after beating Idaho in the first round.
The 2017-18 season saw a change in leadership, with Cameron Dollar being replaced by Jim Hayford as the head coach. During this period, the team also had to play the majority of their home games on campus at the Redhawk Center due to the closure of KeyArena for refurbishment.
In the 2024 season, the Seattle Redhawks won their first basketball championship, claiming the College Basketball Invitational title over High Point. This was a significant achievement for the program.
More recently, the team has continued to perform well, with standout performances from players like Kobe Williamson and Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe. In the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, Williamson led the team to victory over Abilene Christian with 20 points. Moncrieffe also had a stellar game against Utah Tech, scoring 26 points in a 70-65 win.
Overall, the Seattle Redhawks men's basketball team has shown improvement and a return to form, with a mix of promising players and experienced coaches guiding them towards success in the highly competitive Division I basketball landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Seattle University's basketball team, the Seattle Redhawks, currently competes in NCAA Division I.
The team was previously a part of the NAIA division from 1980 to 2001. They then rejoined the NCAA, competing in Division III for a year, and Division II from 2002 to 2009.
The team first joined Division I in 1946 and remained there until 1980 when budget problems forced them to move to NAIA. They rejoined Division I in 2008 and have been there since.
