UC Family Mourns, Celebrates Jim Kelly, Sr.

UC lost a beloved alumnus, player, coach, administrator, ambassador and friend — all rolled into one — with the January 12 passing of Jim Kelly, Sr., CECH ’51, ’65.

After starring on the Bearcat football team as an undergraduate, Kelly went on to spend 34 years on staff in the university’s Athletics Department, serving as a coach, teacher, academic adviser and mentor to countless student-athletes. He became known as a selfless advocate for UC and a devoted friend to everyone who passed through it.

Kelly was instrumental in the creation of UC’s Athletics Hall of Fame, which was named for him, and the football team annually presents one player with the Jim Kelly Award, exemplifying the winning spirit of its namesake.

Among his many contributions, Kelly also played major roles in the development of the C Club letterman’s organization, and the planning and coordination of the construction of Shoemaker Center and the renovation of Nippert Stadium.

“Coach Kelly was one of the first people I met when I first came to UC in the early ‘80s, and he left a lasting impression on me,” said Myron Hughes, Executive Director of the UC Alumni Association. “He quickly became an adviser to me, and also a friend. While his reputation centered around football, any student-athlete could easily become attached to the man we all knew as ‘Coach.’

“Jim was always the constant here at UC,” Hughes said. “If you couldn’t find anyone else, you always knew that Coach Kelly was around to help, and that’s what he did — he helped! He will be missed very much by the entire Bearcat family and our great community.”