By Matthew Digiacomo
If you mention the Erie BayHawks, most avid basketball fans would be able to tell you that they are the NBA Development League team affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But what if you mentioned the name John Treloar?
If you’re lucky, you will only get a blank stare.
So, who is John Treloar? Well, he is the Erie BayHawks head coach, of course. But he also is a man who has spent time learning, coaching, scouting and teaching basketball for the past 29-plus years. And during his journey, he has coached at nearly every level ... on every stage ... with and against some of the biggest names.
“This is my second year with Erie,” said Treloar. “I coached back in the 1990s in what was basically the D-League then (the Continental Basketball Association). I did that for a number of years.
“I took a break from pro basketball and got involved in the college game.”
The road to Erie was far from being that simple, however.
Treloar’s coaching career actually started in 1980 as a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama. He was with the Crimson Tide for two seasons before moving overseas to coach Olympic Sports Club in Bremerhaven, Germany. He coached four seasons with OSC before spending his final season overseas with Steiner Optik Club in Bayreuth, Germany.
He then moved on to the CBA, first as a GM and then as a coach.
“I coached against guys (in the CBA) that are head coaches now in the NBA,” said Treloar. “George Karl and I went at it for a number of years in the CBA. Also Flip Saunders.”
Treloar said he learned a lot from the coaches he faced, as well as those he coached under in college.
Among them were Bobby Knight, who Treloar sat on the bench with for three seasons from 1997-2000. When Knight was dismissed, Treloar stayed on as Mike Davis’ assistant head coach from 2000-04, helping the team reach the NCAA final in 2002. The last stretch of road to Erie was LSU from 2004-08 under John Brady and, for the last 10 games of the ’07-08 season, Butch Pierre, with the Tigers making the Final Four in 2006.
The stop at LSU was a reunion in a way. Brady and Treloar were teammates at Bellhaven College. Treloar was a walk-on and graduated two years after Brady.
“You always take something from everyone you coach with and against,” said Treloar. “But you have to use what you learn and fit it in to how you think you should coach. Coaching with and against all these guys, it was very rewarding for me.”
Now Treloar is trying to impart those rewarding experiences on players with NBA aspirations — whether it be to reach the big stage or return.
Having experienced the college game, the minor league game and the European game already, Treloar has a wealth of experience and knowledge to impart on his players. A prime example of his teaching ability can be found in the BayHawks’ other NBA affiliate.
“The Toronto Raptors is our other affiliate,” said Treloar. “One of our players from last year, Quincy Douby, is on their roster right now. A lot of guys have gone over (to the NBA) from these leagues.”
Who will be next?
Basketball fans in the area can make that call on their own when they have the opportunity to see Erie live at Meadville High School’s “House of Thrills” on Friday, Nov. 20. The BayHawks will be playing the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in their only exhibition game of the season on that night, and the next NBA star could be on the floor.
Maybe it will be guard Jackie Manuel, who helped the North Carolina Tar Heels win the 2005 NCAA championship.
Or how about former McDonald’s All-American Ivan Harris, a 6-7 forward from Ohio State that helped the Buckeyes reach the Final Four in 2007.
Or, perhaps, it will be Treloar’s turn to make the big show.
A 53-year-old coach who has certainly put in his time to be there.
Matthew Digiacomo can be reached at 724-6370, or by e-mail at mdigiacomo@meadvilletribune.com.
Pre-sale tickets for the NBA Developmental League Erie BayHawks versus Fort Wayne Mad Ants exhibition basketball game to be played at the Meadville High School gymnasium on Friday at 7 p.m. will be on sale daily in the athletic director’s office. All tickets are $5 and will be available as long as seats are available. If seats remain, tickets will go on sale the evening of the game at 6 p.m. For more information contact Meadville High School Athletic Director Greg Williams at 336-1121, ext. 106.
