JRLSports.com - James R LeCorchick Sports Report

Erie BayHawks head coach John Treloar is leaving his position with the team to serve as the Director of Player Personnel for the Phoenix Suns. The Suns announced the appointment today and the move is effective immediately.

“It truly is bittersweet, but is exactly what the NBA Development League is about and that is developing not only players for the NBA, but coaches and staff as well,” said BayHawks majority owner Steve Demetriou. “We could not have asked for a better coach and person to lead the BayHawks in our first two years and this promotion is a testament to John’s accomplishments. We wish him and his family continued success.”

“It has truly been a pleasure to live and work in the Erie community for the last two years,” said Treloar. “My family and I appreciate the opportunity that Steve Demetriou, Owen McCormick and the ownership group has given us, without them I would not have been afforded this opportunity to work in the NBA. I also want to thank Matt Bresee and the office staff who work so hard behind the scenes to make this franchise one of the best in minor league sports.”

Named as the team’s first head coach in June, 2008, Treloar led the BayHawks to an overall record of 48-52, including a 27-23 mark and playoff berth in the inaugural season, followed by a 21-29 finish last year.

Prior to joining the BayHawks, Treloar was an assistant coach at Louisiana State University. He also served on the coaching staff of Bob Knight at Indiana University and coached in the Continental Basketball Association and internationally in Germany and Venezuela.

Assistant Coach Ben McDonald will remain in his position and the team has already begun a nationwide search for Treloar’s replacement.

The team opens the season on Friday, November 19 when they face the Springfield Armor at 7:00 pm at the Tullio Arena. Season tickets and group experience packages can be purchased by contacting the team at 814-790-5600.

The Erie BayHawks are the NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league featured 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor, while a new team, the Texas Legends, will join the League for the 2010-11 season. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

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