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Melissa Treadwell new Denair AD
Darrin Allen steps down from long-held position
melissa treadwell
Melissa Treadwell has been a part of the Denair High family for several years and will now step into the role of athletic director. - photo by Photo Contributed

Denair High has named Melissa Treadwell as the school’s new Athletic Director in the wake of Darrin Allen’s decision to leave the position he has manned for several years, which saw some of the most memorable sports moments in program history happen. 

“I feel really good about it, especially these last couple years, having our administrator and principal put a lot of energy and knowledge in the program,” said Treadwell.

Allen will not be leaving the school completely. Instead, he will be working with Treadwell through the transition and perhaps longer. Allen officially put in his letter of resignation about three months ago.

“I will be working with him and the coaches, and don't want to do too many changes off the back,” Treadwell said.

Treadwell is a 1999 Turlock High graduate who has been around athletics and Denair High for nearly two decades in her role as campus security. She will be keeping this role on top of her duties as athletic director. In her first year ever as an athletic director, she is hoping to keep things smooth as Allen had kept them for his 10-year tenure. 

“I know the kids, the parents, we know the community being there so long and I think that will help transitioning,” Treadwell said. “First year will be a learning experience for me. I want to see how things run, I want to involve the coaches and support them. Darrin Allen really has this program running smooth, so I don’t see anything off the top of my head to be addressed or changed right away. We just want to support these students and help them on and off the field, and become better people.”

Treadwell said that their strength and conditioning program will stay intact. 

“Our principal is really into our sports program and making it better, giving the best opportunity out there, and the best coaches we can get … that is something that has helped our program and we will continue,” Treadwell said. “We have a great group of kids and at the end of the day, it is all about them. I am excited to be part of it and my job is to support them and the coaches.” 

Under Allen’s tenure, which began in 2009, the Denair football team captured not only their first ever Sac-Joaquin Section Championship, but a CIF State Championship. The basketball team went 17-11 for the year and 9-3 in league, placing second and earning a berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section (D-V), while winning their first playoff game in well over a decade after topping Bradshaw Christian in the first round, 68-61 (OT). 

“I’m still going to be involved,” Allen said. I’m going to help with baseball and am working on a new program to use in my athletic leadership class that will benefit all student athletes.”