Buzzards Bay, Mass. --  For the first time in over four decades, there will be a new leader of the Massachusetts Maritime baseball program next spring.  But the new face of the Buccaneers is certainly a familiar one both as a player and coach.

Mike Kelley, who shined on the diamond and on the gridiron en route to induction into the Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame six years ago, has been named as Massachusetts Maritime’s Head Baseball Coach and will assume those duties effective July 1^st.  Kelley will succeed Bob Corradi, who is retiring after serving for 26 years as the Buccaneers’ Director of Athletics and 43 seasons as baseball coach at the end of the academic year.

A native of Milford, Mass., Kelley has served for the past 10 seasons as one of Corradi’s assistants while overseeing recruitment for the program.  He helped lead Massachusetts Maritime to its first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in 33 years this past spring, and during his tenure as an assistant coach, a total of 15 players have earned all-conference, all-New England and all-regional accolades. 

“The contributions that Mike has made to our program, both as a player and as a coach, are immeasurable, and I couldn’t be more pleased that he will continue to mentor young men as the next Buccaneer coach,” Corradi said of Kelley’s appointment.  “He led by example during his playing days, and he continues to set a high standard of excellence as a coach.  This program will be in great hands.”

A two-time all-MASCAC performer on the baseball diamond, Kelley batted .400 during his senior campaign of 1999 while serving as a team captain en route to earning the nod as Massachusetts Maritime’s Male Athlete of the Year.  Mike sported a career .346 batting average and was team MVP during his final collegiate season, and seven years later he rejoined Corradi in the dugout to begin his tenure as assistant coach.

“It’s an amazing honor to be able to coach a program that I have been a part of for so long, and I’m extremely grateful to Coach C and the entire Academy administration for the opportunity of a lifetime,” Kelley said of his appointment.  “Success and tradition have played key roles in the growth of the program, and I look forward to both continuing through the hard work and leadership of our cadets for many years to come.”

Kelley also shined on the football field for Massachusetts Maritime, as he ranks third on the career receiving yards list and was a prolific performer for the Buccaneers over the course of four seasons.  The 2006 Kevin Honkala Award recipient for contributions to the baseball program, Mike was inducted into the Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 10^th class honored in 2009.

Kelley, who serves in the full-time role as a company officer in Massachusetts Maritime’s COMCAD office, resides in Bourne with his wife Tammy and their sons, Ty and Drew.  He has served as an assistant to Buccaneer Head Football Coach Jeremy Cameron for the last 10 seasons as well and will continue in that role this fall, with his primary responsibility being running backs coach.  Mike’s father, Tom, is the longtime Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach at Framingham State University.