The 2014-15 Seattle University men’s basketball team gathered with family, supporters, and administrators Tuesday evening in the SkyLine room at The Space Needle to celebrate the success of the recently completed season.
Fr. Stephen Sundborg, President of Seattle University, compared the current state of the basketball program to a rocket that had reached the orbiting stage of its mission. Dave Grosby, the play-by-play broadcaster for Seattle University men’s basketball, used the example of Moving Day at The Masters, the term given to the third round of the annual event in which the golfers attempt to move into position to contend for one of golf’s major championships.
The coaching staff handed out several awards during the evening, with three players receiving multiple honors. William Powell (Huntsville, Ala.) received the John Tresvant Rebounding Award after leading the team with 219 rebounds, the most boards by a Redhawk in a single season in four years. He also received the Best Defensive Player award not only for his rebounding, but for his ability to draw charging calls on opponents at key times.
Emerson Murray (Vancouver, B.C.) closed out his collegiate career by receiving both the Carl Ervin Assists Award and the Coaches Award. Murray led the team with 101 assists during the season, collecting a season-high seven assists at Bakersfield and dishing out six assists in three other games. According to head coach Cameron Dollar, Murray received the Coaches Award for his ability to shape the culture of the team and work hard in both practice and games despite injury and other setbacks.
Jarell Flora (Bremerton, Wash.) joined with Jack Crook (Manchester, England) in earning the Academic Achiever Award, given to the player(s) who have shown their willingness to work hard to either improve their grades or maintain a high standard of excellence. Flora also received the Most Improved Award as he raised his averages in every positive offensive statistical category as well as his shooting percentages from the field and the free throw line.
Isiah Umipig (Federal Way, Wash.) was named the Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Redhawks in scoring for the second consecutive season at 17.0 points per game. He once again set the school record for most made three-pointers in a single season with 123, finishing third in the country in made three-pointers per game (3.62), plus he shot 84.5 percent from the free throw line, making 32 consecutive attempts to finish the season.
Jay Shiogi, the video coordinator for the Redhawk men’s basketball team this past season, received the Service Award for his contributions to the program. Dollar wrapped up the banquet by giving seniors Shore Adenekan (London, England), Flora, Murray, and Umipig a chance to speak to the crowd, and by recognizing Bill Eisiminger for his significant financial contribution to the Seattle U men’s basketball program.
The Seattle University men’s basketball team finished the 2014-15 season with an 18-16 record, advancing to the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament and to the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational.