Chestnut Hill College Athletics

John Kelly came to Chestnut Hill College in the summer of 2011 by way of local Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) rival, Philadelphia University. Kelly served as the head of the Lady Rams softball program since 2006.

Kelly led the Lady Rams to their first CACC Championship Tournament and winning season (25-21) in 2009. The Lady Rams were equally successful in 2010, once again reaching the CACC postseason a doing so this time with the program’s best record, 26-20. Five Lady Rams earned All-CACC status under Kelly, including three-time All-CACC pitcher Ali Schmidt. Kelly’s Lady Rams also owned a reputation for succeeding in the classroom as 16 student-athletes garnered CACC All-Academic status helping them to one of Philadelphia University’s highest team GPA’s.

Prior to coaching at Philadelphia University, Kelly served coaching appointments at Immaculata University (2004-2005) and Haverford College (1997-2004). Kelly recruited five Mighty Macs who would eventually achieve First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) recognition for Immaculata University (10-24). In seven seasons at Haverford College (52-183-1), Kelly built a two-year old softball program into a competitive member of the Centennial Conference. The Fords would claim their first Centennial Conference Championship (26-17) and reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regionals in 2006, two years after Kelly’s departure.

Kelly is a 1975 graduate of St. Joseph’s College. He is the father of three, Alexandra, John and Briana, and he currently resides in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Anne.