John Treadway, a revered figure in the realm of high school athletics, etched his name into the annals of sports history with a career spanning over four decades. Born on December 28, 1906, Treadway's journey as a teacher and coach began in 1931 at Happy Valley High School and culminated in an illustrious tenure at Elizabethton High School, concluding in 1973.

At Happy Valley High School, from 1931 to 1950, Treadway distinguished himself as an extraordinary boys’ basketball coach, amassing an impressive record of 403 wins against just 111 losses. His prowess on the basketball court was not confined to Happy Valley; upon his move to Elizabethton High School in 1950, he continued to showcase his coaching excellence until 1973, tallying an additional 440 victories against 220 defeats.

Cumulatively, Treadway's coaching record stands at an awe-inspiring 843 wins to 331 losses, placing him among the top 25 coaches nationwide, as per win tally. Throughout his career, his teams clinched four region titles, claimed victory in 11 district championships, made seven state tournament appearances, and won a state tournament championship in 1950. His unparalleled ability to nurture talent was further evidenced as he coached two athletes who would later join him as fellow TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees - “Buck” Van Huss and Charlie Bayless.

For his monumental contributions to high school sports and commendable service to TSSAA, John Treadway was rightfully inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1984. Furthermore, his legacy was honored with inductions into both the East Tennessee State University Pirate Hall of Fame and the Upper East Tennessee Hall of Fame before his passing on October 5, 2001. Treadway's remarkable career not only fostered excellence in sportsmanship among his students but also eternally stamped his mark of distinction within TSSAA's prestigious history.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 1984
Category: Coach