Carroll College Athletics

Leo Kelly was described as Carroll College’s “No. 1 Sports Fan.” After graduating the Hilltop in 1937, “Skipper” returned to Anaconda, where he spent the remainder of his life, although he stayed active with Carroll proceedings the entire time. In 1963, he received Borromeo Award for “outstanding courage, zeal, and devotion to the church.” Kelly also served as Carroll College Alumni Association president for many years, and from 1959-71, he provided leadership as chairman for the Saints’ annual Christmas Basketball Tournaments in Anaconda. 

Skipper also led the way in making arrangements for several Carroll football games in Anaconda. He was the first president of the Carroll Football Hall of Fame board of trustees, while remaining on the Athletic HOF board into the 1990s, oftentimes as Chairman of the Board. Kelly was inducted into the Carroll Alumni Hall of Fame in 1987, and in 1990 he received the school’s Walter Nelson Award.