POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist University Athletics Department is mourning the loss of Phil Kelly, who passed away on March 22 at the age of 82.
 
Kelly led Marist's women's cross country and track & field programs from 1990 until his retirement in 2008. He led the Red Foxes to four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships in women's cross country, and he earned four MAAC Coach of the Year awards. Prior to his arrival at Marist, Kelly coached multiple sports for 21 years at Carmel High School, where he enjoyed a 31-year career as an English teacher.
 
"Phil was a great coach, mentor, and father figure to hundreds of athletes, both at Marist and at Carmel High School," said Marist Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Pete Colaizzo. "More than that, Phil was a good and dear friend, and our friendship transcended our coaching partnership of nearly 20 years. We truly enjoyed each other's company, on and off the track, and I will miss him a lot." 
 
Under Kelly's leadership, the Red Foxes won the MAAC women's cross country championship in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2004. Women's track & field placed in the top three of the MAAC Outdoor Championships nine times in his tenure. Marist also shined academically, as the Red Foxes consistently led the MAAC in All-Academic Team selections.
 
At the time of his retirement, Kelly said he had seen "Immense improvement … in both the cross country and track programs."
 
"We've had many MAAC champions," Kelly added, "but I didn't coach for that. I coached because I enjoyed it."
 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26 from 4-7 p.m. at William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home at 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Martin de Porres Church at 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.