Hayman was a pioneer in bringing African Americans into the CFL, hiring one of professional football's first Black players, Herb Trawick, and coach Willie Wood.
He attended high school at 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.
After graduating from college, Hayman moved to Canada in 1932 to become assistant coach of the University of Toronto football team under Warren Stevens.
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.
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.
He was planning to retire when the season ended, but was persuaded by owner John W. H. Bassett to sign a three-year contract as team president, followed by 10 years as vice-chairman and director.
The CFL award presented to the outstanding Canadian player in the East Division is called the Lew Hayman Trophy.