Coach Al Brightman (1923-1992) played for California State University at Long Beach. After graduation, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics (1946–47) of the BAA and played in 58 games. He became the first Celtic to score 20 points in a regular season game.

Brightman was hired by Seattle U, where he coached from 1948 to 1956, leading the Chieftains to 4 NCAA Appearances and 1 NIT appearance. He went on to coach the Anaheim Amigos in the ABA in the 1967-68 season.

According to a Seattle newspaper column of the late 1950's, Brightman, Athletic Director Bill Fenton, and Athletic Publicity Director Jack Gordon, were the "Three Musketeers" of SU basketball

Phone numbers from when the exchanges were just a word. In 2011, 58 years later, Mrs. Jack Gordon still has the "1582" part of the Home phone number.