A seal for sealing a space between a shaft and a housing, includes a base member coupled with one of the housing and the shaft and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member sealingly contactable with the other one of the housing and the shaft. The sealing member is coupled with the base member such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained to reduce friction between the sealing member and the other one of the housing and the shaft. The seal assembly is preferably formed by providing a base member having a generally annular carrier portion and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member, coupling the sealing member with the annular portion of the base member, and plastically deforming at least a section of the base member carrier portion such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained.