Indiana University Athletics
Former Head Coach Joe Kelley Inducted Into Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame
2/22/2016 1:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS – Former Indiana Women's Soccer head coach and IU Men's Soccer player and assistant coach Joe Kelley was inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame over the weekend.
Kelley, who passed away in 2004, was inducted alongside Chris Doran and Mary Runnels, who are both staples in the Bloomington soccer community. Kelley's family accepted the honor on his behalf.
He was the first coach in Indiana Women's Soccer history and guided the team for nine seasons, compiling an 85-78-11 record. Kelley led the Hoosiers to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Second Round showing in 1998, as well as a 1996 Big Ten Tournament championship.
During his tenure, Kelley coached 51 Academic All-Big Ten selections, 12 All-Big Ten performers, seven All-Region honorees and one All-America Honorable Mention nominee in Tracey Grose.
Kelley led the campaign to bring Women's Soccer to varsity status at IU and previously served as the head coach of the club team for three seasons, posting a 65-7-4 record, including a 7-1-1 mark against varsity teams.
Prior to leading the women's team, Kelley was an assistant coach on the men's side for 15 years under former head coach Jerry Yeagley and was instrumental in three National Championships (1982, 1983 and 1988). Additionally, he helped the recruitment of 23 high school All-Americans in that span.
As a student-athlete, Kelley transferred to Indiana following a successful playing career at Meramec Community College, where he garnered All-America accolades in 1974. He went on to become a key member of the 1975 IU team as a midfielder posting six points on two goals and two assists. Indiana finished the year at 13-3-1.
Kelley played one season for the Indianapolis Daredevils of the North American Soccer League.
He graduated from Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in August of 1981. He held a United States Soccer Federation "A" coaching license and was a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Criteria for selection to the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame includes outstanding achievement through the development of soccer and standard of play in Indiana, as well as sustained accomplishments for more than a 10-year period.
For more information on the Hall of Fame, click here.
