University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
J. Edward Donnelly Special Inductee - Coach, Athletic Director
Vermont's athletic director for 21 years, its football coach form 1952-61 and also a golf coach, Donnelly has etched out an impressive career at UVM, which culminated with his induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974.
The popular athletic leader was a primary force behind the construction of the spacious athletic complex which houses basketball, hockey, swimming, track, handball, squash, gymnastics, tennis and several other indoor events. The facility was opened in 1963.
Donnelly is a 1932 graduate of Chattanooga where he was a standout football and basketball player, captaining the 1930-31 basketball squad. His first collegiate coaching experience was at Columbia in 1945 where he was the assistant backfield coach while doing his graduate studies. From Columbia, Donnelly moved to Boston University where he was on the football staff for five years before heading to Vermont.
Since his appearance at UVM, track, soccer and swim were added to the program, as well as fall golf and tennis, and the rapid growth of the hockey and ski programs. In addition, Donnelly is responsible for Vermont's full participation in the Yankee Conference in football, basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, swim, tennis, soccer, and golf.
The Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters honored Donnelly, he was named to recipient of the Ralph Lapointe Award, presented annually to an individual who has contributed substantially to athletics in the state of Vermont.
