To find a recipient for its inaugural Athletics Distinguished Service Award, the CWRU Department of Athletics did not have to look far. It bestowed the honor upon Jim Treleaven ’69, MS ’77, PhD ’90, at the Spartan Club Hall of Fame Induction May 2.

An athlete in his student days, Treleaven went on to support Spartan athletes and the athletic department for decades as a volunteer, a fundraiser and a fan.

“We are honored to recognize Jim in appreciation for his outstanding generosity and unwavering commitment to CWRU,” said Athletic Director TJ Shelton. “His passion and continued support has made a lasting impact on our athletics community for decades.”

Treleaven was a starter on both the football and wrestling teams at Case Institute of Technology in the 1960s. He also served as president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, then supported the university throughout a successful career as a computer engineer, business consultant and educator.

He served on the Spartan Club board, including its Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and chaired the Visiting Committee for CWRU Athletics. Treleaven also co-chaired the fundraising campaign for the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center.

Meanwhile, he and his wife, Cheryl, have hosted summer sendoffs for incoming students for the past 20 years. Treleaven is a long-time member of the board of the Case Alumni Association, which honored him with its Samuel H. Givelber Fellowship Award in 2022.

The Athletics Distinguished Service Award was established in recognition of Gary Pillar, the former CWRU Assistant Athletic Director for Development, who passed away in December 2024. Treleaven is its first recipient.