The Arizona Interscholastic Association is mourning the loss of former AIA Associate Executive Director Glen Treadaway, a compassionate leader with a distinguished 40-plus-year career.

Treadaway passed away Sunday after a short battle with cancer. He was 84.

“As a former athletic director Glen Treadaway was a mentor and a teacher of the bylaws of the AIA,” Executive Director David Hines said. “Glen served many roles in the AIA, and in each role he was respected and appreciated for the work he did. He was a true leader.”

Every year the AIA presents an award to schools that best demonstrate respect, fairness and graciousness — characteristics Treadaway embodied — throughout the school year, and the award is named after him.

His career as an educator and coach began in 1961 at Santa Cruz High School, where he helped groom one of the state’s all-time great small school football programs.

Treadaway quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Santa Cruz’s principal during his six-year stint at the school. He also served as an assistant principal and athletic director at Paradise Valley and Lake Havasu, and led Prescott High School as its principal for 19 years.

In 1996, he joined the AIA.

“When I think of Glen, I think of complete trust,” said Harold Slemmer, who served as Executive Director of the AIA prior to Hines. “He was the most trusted senior member under my watch. He was accurate in the interpretation of the bylaws. No question about it. He did so with wisdom and integrity.”

Treadaway was recruited and volunteered to serve on important committees through this career, including the Football Rules Committee of the National Federation of State High School Associations. In 2006, he was inducted into the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame.

“Glen was one of the most humble men I ever met,” AIA tournament coordinator Dean Visser said. “I learned so much from his leadership and work ethic. I will always cherish the lunches with Glen, (AIA historian) Barry Sollenberger and (former AIA commissioner of officials) Gary Whelchel early on in my AIA career.”

Funeral arrangements for Treadaway are pending.

Treadaway tributes

“It’s very sad day. We lost an amazing athletic administrator, but more importantly an amazing person. Prayers of comfort and peace going up for “(Treadaway’s wife) Joan and the family.”
- Former longtime Tucson administrator/AIA human resources manager Herman House.

“Glen was a thoughtful, caring and always fair AIA Executive Board member. He was also on the executive staff of the AIA for many years and worked very hard on behalf of the member schools and their student-athletes. He always kept in mind and promoted the notion of educational athletics. He will be missed by all at the AIA that were so fortunate to have worked with him.”
- Mark R. Mignella, AIA general counsel

“Glen was a great gentleman and awesome mentor. The AIA became better because of him.”
- Gary Whelchel, AIA State Commissioner of Officials - Retired

“Glen represented the AIA as a pillar of strength. His integrity, honesty and passion for what he did was recognized throughout the AIA membership. Glen had a wealth of knowledge and the membership went to him for his advice and guidance. When there was a rule that anyone had a question on, people would say, ‘Ask Glen.’ The membership trusted him. I respect Glen for his years of service to the AIA, but most of all I will miss him as a loyal friend and colleague.”
- Bob Kosower, Asst. AD at Phoenix Country Day and former member of the AIA Executive Board