INTRODUCING … THE EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES

Based in Cheney, Washington, Eastern Washington University is an institution of higher education that offers more than 100 fields of study, 10 master's degrees, seven graduate certificates, 55 graduate programs of study and an applied doctoral program of physical therapy. Eastern Washington was ranked by Consumer’s Digest as one of the top 50 Best Value schools nationally. Their school motto is ‘Start Something Big’.

Established in 1882, the University has been home to NBA players, NFL players, pro Poker players, Indy 500-winning race car drivers, Olympic gold medalists, #1 New York Times Best Selling Authors, Grammy nominated singers, Comic Book creators and even NHL Team Owners.

The Men’s Basketball program is well-respected, having a 53.5% win ratio in their history and having reached the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2015, and being Big Sky Conference champions in those same years 

Eastern Washington’s man in charge is 49 year-old, 2015 Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, Jim Hayford. Prior to his tenure with the Eagles, Hayford spent a decade at Whitworth University in Division 3, which included 6 post season appearances, 5 seasons as regular season ladder leaders, 5 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year awards and every season being a ‘winning’ season, with more wins than losses.

Under Hayford, the Eagles have assumed the identity of being in attack-mode offensively, coming at opponents with pace and space and putting defenses under pressure at the rim, as well as breaking hearts with their 3pt shooting.

This coming season, Eastern Washington will be lead by the strong contribution of Seniors Felix Von Hofe and Julian Harrell, as well as Junior Bogdan Bliznyuk. 6’5, Australian born Von Hofe was a co-captain of the Eagles last season and won a Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week award with back to back games of 27 and 28 points, making it rain from the 3pt line as he shot at better than 50%.

Meanwhile, 6’5 Julian Harrell is an elite level, lock-down defender and averages 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1 assist a game – giving the Eagles well rounded and reliable production at his position

Lastly, Bliznyuk is a Ukrainian prodigy -  a 6’6 double-double machine that only last season ranked top 25 in points per game, top 12 in rebounds per game and top 10 in steals per game. He’s considered to be a key ‘blur’ position for the Eagles, and has the tools to do some real damage to opposition teams.

The Eagles will play our Big V Basketball State Championship Men’s team as part of an 8-10 game tour of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns – which also allows them more practice time with the team, by NCAA rules.

"A big bonus is we get 10 extra summer practices on top of the games," said Head Coach Jim Hayford, whose team must replace a trio of seniors. "That will help this team form their identity for the upcoming season."

"Everyone in the program is happy these guys will get to play in front of their families and friends – they each make great sacrifices being away from loved ones for so much of the year. The games will be competitive and fun."




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