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Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1985
- Class:
- 1958
Jack Kelly was born in Pipestone, Minn. He grew up and attended Pipestone schools where he was a standout high school athlete that participated and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. From 1954-1958 he attended St. Cloud State University and graduated with a teaching license. At St. Cloud State Jack lettered all four years in football, basketball and baseball. After graduation, Kelly started his teaching career in Windom where he taught Industrial Arts and Physical Education.
In 1961, Jack married Marilyn (Haugsness). Throughout their 53 years together they enjoyed a deep sense of commitment and teamwork. This is evident in their four children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, their friends, and their community. Jack loved nothing more than bringing people together to work on projects that improved the community – he was instrumental in organizing those projects. One of his proudest accomplishments was leading volunteers in building the Island Park baseball field. Other big projects were the bridge across the Des Moines river and the temporary walk bridge over the dam. His last project was landscaping the new Windom fire hall. That sense of commitment and teamwork was also evident in his coaching. Jack relied heavily on his assistant coaches, was always open to guidance, trusted his assistants, and always felt it was a team effort.
Jack loved to work and his life reflected that. He was a teacher, an athlete and coach, landscaper, referee, volunteer, and business owner. He taught for 35 years and coached for 25 years. Jack initially coached track and football before he committed to his two loves: coaching baseball and basketball. He developed the Windom Peewee (developmental) baseball program, and he coached and played for many years on the town baseball team. In June of 1993 he retired from teaching and coaching and then spent 20 plus years as a landscaper. He refereed high school basketball, and high school and college football over the years – he was a leader and mentor to other football officials as well. In addition, Jack volunteered as a fireman and EMT and at the BARC where he put his heart and soul into his work on the board, the landscaping, and the building in general. Lastly, as a business owner Jack and Lyle Reibe co-owned the Pine Inn drive-in throughout their teaching careers, and they employed and mentored numerous Windom High School students as car hops and fast food workers.
During his life, Jack was blessed with athletic and coaching Hall of Fame honors. As an athlete, the HOF for Pipestone and St. Cloud State University. As a coach, the HOF for the Minnesota Coaches Association (baseball and basketball), and for Windom High School.
He passed away on March 29, 2020.
