Whitworth University is a national power in smallcollege basketball. The 2009-10 Pirate men’s basketball team finished the season with a 26-3 record, won their fourth consecutive Northwest Conference Tournament Championship, and advanced to their second NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in the last three seasons. Whitworth rose to as high as No. 4 in the national polls. Nate Montgomery was named Conference Player of the Year, and earned All-America recognition. Eric Beal and David Riley were named First-Team All-Conference, and Bo Gregg earned honorable mention.

Jim Hayford, who has won four Northwest Conference Coach of the Year awards (2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10) in his nine seasons as head coach at Whitworth University, has won more than 75 percent of his games as the Pirates’ mentor. He surpassed the 100-win plateau more quickly than any other coach in Whitworth history. A frequent speaker at camps, clinics and schools nationwide, Coach Hayford is a basketball-camp favorite for his combination of humor and high-quality instruction.

Craig Fortier, assistant coach of the Pirates, is beginning his fourth season directing Whitworth Basketball Camps. For the past six seasons he also has served as a director at Gonzaga University’s summer basketball camps. A frequent camp speaker and clinician, Coach Fortier is known for his work developing players’ individual talents.

Additional staff includes coaches and current and former Whiworth University players.