Passages: Kenneth Treadway Dies at 96; Legendary Hall of Famer Was Definition of Service
Kenneth Treadway, a 1983 inductee into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as a contributor for his vast service to the sport, died on July 31 at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. He was 96. Throughout his life, Treadway had an impact on swimming, influencing the sport as a coach, innovator, administrator and advocate. He traveled the world to ensure swimmers and coaches received the support they needed.
Born in Oklahoma, Treadway founded the Phillips 66 Splash Club in 1950 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the club becoming one of the finest in the country. He also helped that the Bartlesville Public Schools establish swimming programs that promoted water safety and opened the doors to children for competitive opportunities. Eventually, Treadway’s reach extended to California as he and legendary coach Don Gambril founded the Phillips 66 Long Beach Aquatic Club that produced Olympians.
Treadway’s professional career in corporate business with Phillips Petroleum led to the company regularly supporting national championships in the United States, with the Phillips 66 sponsorship of USA Swimming becoming the longest continuous sponsorship of an amateur sport in the United States.
Wherever Treadway went, he had his hand in swimming – sometimes as a coach or official, other times in various influential committee roles. More than 60 years ago, he represented the United States when FINA officially recognized the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was also a staff member of three United States Olympic Teams, attending the Games of 1964 (Tokyo), 1968 (Mexico City) and 1972 (Munich).
In addition to his Hall of Fame enshrinement, Treadway was recognized by ISHOF in 2008 with its prestigious President’s Award, which honors an individual whose career is defined by exceptional and extraordinary efforts to promore the organization’s mission. More, Treadway was presented with the 1972 AAU Neptune Award, then recognized as swimming’s highest service award. In 2009, he was inducted into the Bartlesville Sports Commission Hall of Fame.
Treadway will be remembered for his never-ending desire to celebrate and support the sport of swimming.
