Marist University Athletics coach Phil Kelly passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 82.
Phil Kelly was the head coach of Marist’s women’s cross country and track and field programs from 1990 to 2008.
Over almost two decades of career leading the Red Foxes, he guided the women’s cross-country team to four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships and secured titles in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2004.
In women’s track & field, Kelly’s squads consistently excelled, finishing in the top three at the MAAC Outdoor Championships nine times during his tenure.
Pete Colaizzo, Marist’s Director of Cross Country/Track and field and Kelly’s longtime colleague said,
Phil was a great coach, mentor, and father figure to hundreds of athletes, both at Marist and at Carmel High School.
Phil Kelly Retired After 18 Years as Marist Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach!
On May 23, 2008, Phil Kelly, the head coach of Marist University’s women’s cross country and track & field teams, announced his retirement after a successful 18-year tenure with the Red Foxes.
Kelly joined Marist in the fall of 1990, bringing 21 years of coaching experience from Carmel High School.
During his over two decades of coaching experience, Kelly had led multiple sports, including cross country and track & field.
Over his 18 years at Marist, he transformed the women’s programs into a powerhouse within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Under his guidance, the Red Foxes secured four MAAC cross-country championships in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2004.
His coaching prowess was recognized with four MAAC Coach of the Year awards, the most recent of which came on May 4, 2008, following the MAAC Outdoor Championships.
The women’s track & field team also thrived under Kelly’s leadership and achieved nine top-three finishes at the MAAC Outdoor Championships.
We mourn the loss of Phil Kelly, who passed away on March 22 at the age of 82.
— Marist Athletics (@MaristAthletics) March 24, 2025
Phil coached our women's cross country and track & field teams from 1990-2008. He won four MAAC championships, and he was named MAAC Coach of the Year four times.https://t.co/tszjnHJgO3
Since 2004, his cross country squad never finished lower than fourth at the MAAC meet.
Beyond athletic achievements, Kelly’s teams excelled academically, consistently leading the conference in All-Academic Team selections.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kelly had said,
I’ve been here 18 years. I’ve seen immense improvement over that time in both the cross country and track programs.
We’ve had many MAAC champions, but I didn’t coach for that. I coached because I enjoyed it.
Pete Colaizzo, Marist’s men’s cross country and track coach, began working with Kelly in 1991 and credited him with the programs’ growth, saying:
When Phil and I started together back in the spring of 1991, we had less than a dozen athletes combined in men’s and women’s cross country and track.
“Phil’s leadership and dedication are a big reason why we have grown in size and stature through the years,” Colaizzo said.
Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray praised Kelly’s dedication and the unique bond he forged with his athletes.
“I can’t thank Phil enough for the energy and passion he put into his work with the program for the past 18 years,” Murray said.
