Men's Basketball | 10/26/2020 12:05:10 PM
Waleed Farid enters his fifth season as the Head Coach of the Hartwick men's basketball program in 2020-21. He has led the Hawks to 49 wins over his first four seasons, including a 14-11 mark in 2019-20.
Farid has long-time Empire 8 ties, first as a student-athlete at former league member Stevens Institute of Technology, before becoming an assistant coach at his alma mater. Farid earned All-Empire 8 first team honors as a senior in 2007-08 and then spent seven years on the coaching staff at Stevens before arriving at Hartwick. In that time frame, Farid helped the Ducks to a record of 127-67 and three 20-win seasons, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012-13.
Farid is also an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a personal trainer. He is also certified by Precision Nutrition as a Level 1 Nutrition Coach.
Waleed Farid - Today's Leaders
Coach/Administrator Name: Waleed Farid
School: Hartwick College
Title: Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Year at Current Institution: 5th Season
College Attended/Class Year: Stevens Institute of Technology ‘08
Playing Career: Stevens Institute of Technology Men’s Basketball 2004-2008, Played Professionally in Egypt with Alexandria Sporting Club during the 2008-2009 season.
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Kobe Bryant/New York Knicks
Favorite Movie: Any Marvel movie
Favorite TV Shows: Seinfeld and Game of Thrones
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Succession
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
Recent Community Service Projects Your Teams or Departments Have Worked On: Every year we do a free basketball clinic at the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences: Our conference is filled with great coaches and administrators that all provide a great experience to our student-athletes. Academically, the Empire 8 is comprised of schools which provide an outstanding education while also allowing our student-athletes to get the individual attention that will enable them to be successful. Our league is always competitive which inspires all of us to always improve.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time as a Player in College: Beating Ramapo College on their own homecourt to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007 for the first time in school history.
Favorite Memory as a Coach at Hartwick: In my first year we were playing short-handed against a very good Nazareth team and we came back from down seven points with less than a minute to go to win. The collective effort by our players and the excitement in the locker room after the game was unreal.
Who Was Your Biggest Mentor and Why: My father. He taught me the importance of always working hard at everything you do and not taking shortcuts. He also instilled in me the mindset that there is no limit to improvement.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator: Watching and being a part of the growth and development of our players during their time at Hartwick; and seeing the success they have after graduation.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role: I’ve learned that there are so many opportunities that come up where leadership may be needed but sometimes the best action to take is to do nothing. I’ve also learned that one of best things I can do as a leader is listen to those that I’m leading. Lastly, as a leader it is okay to be vulnerable and gives you a great opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
What Type of Leader Are You: If I had to define my leadership style it would be situational. Most of the time I tend to be the inspirational, lead-by-example servant leader. However, I try to be the type of leader that is needed at the time. For example, there are times where I need to be the strict authoritarian and there are times where I need to be the democratic leader who asks and allows for input on decision-making.
What Are Some Positive Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic You Have Experienced?
I was able to spend so much quality time with my wife, Jean, and my 2-year-old son, Mikail. I also gained a lot more appreciation for some of the things we used to do daily that we took for granted before COVID hit.
How Have You Had to Adjust as a Coach or Administrator to the Pandemic?
I’ve learned to be a lot more flexible. With COVID, things change frequently, and we’ve had to learn to adapt and adjust on a daily basis.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I have a photographic memory.
Advice for First-Year Student-Athletes: Do not be too afraid to ask for help!
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes: Stay connected. There are no better moments than those times you are sitting catching up with old teammates and coaches about all those great memories from your days as a player. I’d also advise them to give back with their time and knowledge to the current players whenever they can.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Today’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a coach or administrator from one of its member institutions who exemplifies leadership.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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