John "Tinker" Connelly was the head baseball coach for over 25 years at Northeastern, where he first drew raves as an outstanding three sport athlete in the 1950s. As head coach, he guided the Huskies to the College World Series in 1966 and several New England District titles during his quarter century tenure. His teams competed in the NCAA Div. I playoffs in 1964, '66, '72 and '73.
Connelly's career record was 288-280-6, and he was named the New England Coach of the Year in 1964. After stepping down from his baseball post, he took the position of Director of the Northeastern's Matthews Arena, serving in that role until his retirement in 1991.
As an athlete, Connelly excelled in hockey as a defenseman, in football as a quarterback and also in baseball as a second baseman. He captained the 1952 baseball team and led the 1951 football team to an undefeated season. He received honors in all three sports, copping All-New England honors in football, All-New England and All-East in hockey and All-New England on the baseball diamond.
He graduated in 1953 and immediately joined the NU athletic staff as a backfield coach in football and as a freshman hockey and baseball coach. In 1956, he was named the head coach of baseball but continued his other duties for many years.
Connelly was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 1975 for his outstanding achievements as both a coach and an athlete.
Always an aficionado of track and field, Connelly was a member of the New England Track and Field Officials Association and officiated for over 30 years at the Boston Marathon and countless other events.
