On July 8 at the Acadia Athletic complex, in conjunction with its 50th anniversary reunion July 8-10, the Class of 1961 recognized Major Fred G. Kelly who, for 40 years, served Acadia students as coach, teacher and Director of Physical Education and Athletics.

The Class provided funding to build a large display that is now mounted in a prominent place as people enter the Athletic complex. The main objective is to ensure that everyone is reminded or learns about the outstanding contribution Coach Kelly made to Acadia and Athletics for 40 years.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony honouring Major Kelly, who arrived at Acadia in 1927. He retired in 1967 after a distinguished career as an educator and mentor, and died in 1978.

Speakers at the event included Master of Ceremonies Ian Murray (’88), Executive Director, Alumni Affairs and Advancement Strategy at Acadia; Connie MacNeil (’52, ‘53); Dorothy Walker Robbins (Hon. Doctorate of Civil Laws, ’83); Acadia President Ray Ivany; and Richard Beazley (’61, ‘62).

They recalled Kelly as a disciplinarian who never resorted to alibis or excuses. He taught solid fundamentals, emphasized teamwork and espoused principles that served many students and athletes long after the game had ended. He was an icon at Acadia for 40 years, Robbins said, “and it is most fitting that he be remembered in this way by the Class of 1961.”