Lew Hayman
Encyclopedia
Lewis Edward "Lew" Hayman (September 30, 1908 – June 29, 1984) was an American sports figure. He was one of the driving forces behind the Canadian Football League
as coach, general manager, team president, and league president. As head coach, he was a five-time Grey Cup
winner with three different teams. Hayman was a pioneer in bringing African Americans into the CFL
, hiring one of professional football's first Black player, Herb Trawick
and coach Willie Wood.
and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey
. He attended New York Military Academy
and was a star basketball player at Syracuse University
, where he was a three-year starter and named College Humor third team All-American in 1931. He also played for the Syracuse football team.
football team under Warren Stevens. He was soon also hired as an assistant to coach Buck McKenna
with the Toronto Argonauts
football team. When McKenna took ill during the 1932 season
, Hayman became interim head coach. He was given the job outright for the 1933 season
and, at the age of 25, guided the Argonauts to a Grey Cup
championship. He followed that with back-to-back Grey Cup wins in 1937
and 1938
.
With World War II
escalating, the major Canadian football leagues halted operations following the 1941 season
and Hayman joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
as a flying officer. He was made coach of Toronto's RCAF football team and led the Toronto RCAF Hurricanes to the 1942 Grey Cup
championship. He was discharged after the war, having reached the rank of flight lieutenant.
Hayman thought he had an agreement with the Argonauts to return as head coach when play resumed in 1945
, but the deal fell through and Ted Morris was hired instead. That left Hayman with bitter feelings toward his former team—which admitted that they had misled him—and Hayman had to settle for a job as coach of the Toronto Indians
football team. One of the members of the Indians was future CFL commissioner Jake Gaudaur
, who had also played under Hayman in the RCAF.
to form the Montreal Alouettes
CFL team, with Hayman as head coach and general manager, as well as part-owner. In his first season, he broke the league's color barrier by signing Herb Trawick
, an African American
lineman. Other innovations introduced by the Alouettes under Hayman were playing night games, scheduling games on Sundays, and allowing games to be televised.
During the off-season in 1946, Hayman became general manager of the Toronto Huskies
professional basketball team, the first Canadian-based team in what evolved into the National Basketball Association
(known at the time as the Basketball Association of America). When the team's first coach quit a month into the season, Hayman took his place for one game, and is in the record books as having been an NBA coach for that single game. The Huskies disbanded after one money-losing season.
Hayman led the Alouettes to their first Grey Cup in 1949
—Hayman's fifth and final Grey Cup as head coach. Following the 1951 season
, Hayman stepped down as coach but continued as general manager until the end of the 1954 season
, when he sold his share of the Alouettes and moved back to Toronto to become a stockbroker.
After John Barrow
was made general manager of the Argonauts in 1972, Hayman was given the title of executive consultant. He was planning to retire when the season ended, but was persuaded by owner John Bassett
to sign a three-year contract as team president, followed by 10 years as vice-chairman and director. Hayman again became president of the Argonauts in 1979 and remained in that role until he was succeeded by Ralph Sazio
during the 1981 season. He died in 1984 at age 75.
Hayman was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
in 1975. The CFL award presented to the outstanding Canadian player in the East Division is called the Lew Hayman Trophy
. In 2004, he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
.
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
as coach, general manager, team president, and league president. As head coach, he was a five-time Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
winner with three different teams. Hayman was a pioneer in bringing African Americans into the CFL
History of African Americans in the Canadian Football League
African Americans have played prominent roles in the Canadian Football League and its precursors since 1946. In many cases black Americans have been able to pursue professional football opportunities in the CFL that were for one reason or another unavailable in the United States...
, hiring one of professional football's first Black player, Herb Trawick
Herb Trawick
Herb Trawick was a famous professional Canadian football player and was the first African American to play professional Canadian football...
and coach Willie Wood.
Early years
Hayman was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
. He attended New York Military Academy
New York Military Academy
New York Military Academy, or NYMA, is an American private boarding school located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. It was founded in 1889 by Charles Jefferson Wright, a Civil War veteran and former school teacher from New Hampshire who believed that a military structure provided the best...
and was a star basketball player at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, where he was a three-year starter and named College Humor third team All-American in 1931. He also played for the Syracuse football team.
Moves to Canada
After graduating, Hayman moved to Canada in 1932 to become assistant coach of the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
football team under Warren Stevens. He was soon also hired as an assistant to coach Buck McKenna
Buck McKenna
Buck McKenna was a Canadian football coach who was the head coach of Toronto Argonauts from 1929–1932....
with the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
football team. When McKenna took ill during the 1932 season
1932 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1932:The Calgary Altomah-Tigers became the Altomahs.Winnipeg and St. John's amalgamated to field a stronger team, and adopted the colours of blue and gold.-Final regular season standings:...
, Hayman became interim head coach. He was given the job outright for the 1933 season
1933 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1933:The Toronto Argonauts lost their first two games of the season, only to storm back and win eight straight, including their first Grey Cup win in 12 years.-Final regular season standings:...
and, at the age of 25, guided the Argonauts to a Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
championship. He followed that with back-to-back Grey Cup wins in 1937
25th Grey Cup
The 25th Grey Cup was played on December 11, 1937, before 11,522 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Toronto Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 4 to 3....
and 1938
26th Grey Cup
The 26th Grey Cup was played on December 10, 1938, before 18,778 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Toronto Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30 to 7....
.
With World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
escalating, the major Canadian football leagues halted operations following the 1941 season
1941 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1941:The Calgary Bronks left the WIFU and the Vancouver Grizzlies joined.The IRFU was renamed to Eastern Canada Union for one season. The Hamilton Tigers did not participate in the Eastern Canada Union, due to World War II and the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers of the ORFU...
and Hayman joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
as a flying officer. He was made coach of Toronto's RCAF football team and led the Toronto RCAF Hurricanes to the 1942 Grey Cup
30th Grey Cup
The 30th Grey Cup was played on December 5, 1942, before 12,455 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Toronto RCAF Hurricanes defeated the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers 8 to 5....
championship. He was discharged after the war, having reached the rank of flight lieutenant.
Hayman thought he had an agreement with the Argonauts to return as head coach when play resumed in 1945
1945 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1945:On Friday, September 28, the Calgary Bronks changed their name to the Calgary Stampeders and rejoin the WIFU with blue and gold colours.The IRFU would resume play, but the WIFU still suspended operations....
, but the deal fell through and Ted Morris was hired instead. That left Hayman with bitter feelings toward his former team—which admitted that they had misled him—and Hayman had to settle for a job as coach of the Toronto Indians
Toronto Indians
The Toronto Indians were a football team from Toronto, Ontario and a member of the Ontario Rugby Football Union, a league that preceded the Canadian Football League. After the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers moved to the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union in 1941, the Indians began play in the ORFU...
football team. One of the members of the Indians was future CFL commissioner Jake Gaudaur
Jake Gaudaur
For the former world champion sculler see Jake Gaudaur Snr.Jacob Gill "Jake" Gaudaur, Jr., OC was a Canadian Football League player, executive, and commissioner...
, who had also played under Hayman in the RCAF.
Forms the Montreal Alouettes
The following season, Hayman partnered with Eric Cradock and Leo DandurandLeo Dandurand
Joseph Viateur "Léo" Dandurand , was a sportsman and businessman. He was the owner and coach of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team in the National Hockey League...
to form the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
CFL team, with Hayman as head coach and general manager, as well as part-owner. In his first season, he broke the league's color barrier by signing Herb Trawick
Herb Trawick
Herb Trawick was a famous professional Canadian football player and was the first African American to play professional Canadian football...
, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
lineman. Other innovations introduced by the Alouettes under Hayman were playing night games, scheduling games on Sundays, and allowing games to be televised.
During the off-season in 1946, Hayman became general manager of the Toronto Huskies
Toronto Huskies
The Toronto Huskies were a team in the Basketball Association of America during the 1946–47 season, based in Toronto, Ontario...
professional basketball team, the first Canadian-based team in what evolved into the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(known at the time as the Basketball Association of America). When the team's first coach quit a month into the season, Hayman took his place for one game, and is in the record books as having been an NBA coach for that single game. The Huskies disbanded after one money-losing season.
Hayman led the Alouettes to their first Grey Cup in 1949
37th Grey Cup
The 37th Grey Cup was played on November 26, 1949 before 20,087 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto. Montreal Alouettes defeated Calgary Stampeders 28-15...
—Hayman's fifth and final Grey Cup as head coach. Following the 1951 season
1951 in Canadian football
-Canadian football news in 1951:The BC Lions were formed in January at the Arctic Club in Vancouver; however, the franchise would begin play at the start of the 1954 season.E. Kent Philips of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was appointed WIFU Commissioner...
, Hayman stepped down as coach but continued as general manager until the end of the 1954 season
1954 in Canadian football
The 1954 season of Canadian football is widely considered to be the first season of the modern era of Canadian football, although the Canadian Football League would not be officially founded for another four years.-Canadian Football News in 1954:...
, when he sold his share of the Alouettes and moved back to Toronto to become a stockbroker.
Returns to the Argonauts
Hayman's career outside of football was short-lived, as he became managing director of the Argonauts in 1956. Despite his previous success as head coach, the Argonauts were largely reduced to being Eastern Conference doormats through this period, finishing last in their division nine times in 11 years from 1956 to 1966 before returning to respectability. During that time, Hayman also became team president. He was elected president of the CFL in 1969 and served a one-year term.After John Barrow
John Barrow (football player)
John B. Barrow is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive and defensive tackle in the Canadian Football League for fourteen seasons in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s...
was made general manager of the Argonauts in 1972, Hayman was given the title of executive consultant. He was planning to retire when the season ended, but was persuaded by owner John Bassett
John Bassett
John White Hughes Bassett, was a Canadian publisher and media baron.Born in Ottawa, Ontario, he was the son of John Bassett , publisher of the Montreal Gazette, and Margaret Avery. Bassett attended Ashbury College and graduated from Bishop's University with a BA in 1936...
to sign a three-year contract as team president, followed by 10 years as vice-chairman and director. Hayman again became president of the Argonauts in 1979 and remained in that role until he was succeeded by Ralph Sazio
Ralph Sazio
Ralph Joseph Sazio is a former football player, assistant coach, head coach general manager and team president for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He also served as president of the Toronto Argonauts...
during the 1981 season. He died in 1984 at age 75.
Hayman was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
in 1975. The CFL award presented to the outstanding Canadian player in the East Division is called the Lew Hayman Trophy
Lew Hayman Trophy
The Lew Hayman Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, awarded to the outstanding Canadian player in the East Division. Each team in the East Division nominates a player, from which the winner is chosen. Either the winner of the Hayman trophy or the Dr...
. In 2004, he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
.
Sources
- "Lew Hayman devoted his life to pro football," Rex McLeod, Toronto StarToronto StarThe Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, July 2, 1984, p. C16. - "Lew Hayman," International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, accessed November 4, 2006