Background
Connelly was born in Easthampton, Massachusetts, in 1898.
Connelly was born in Easthampton, Massachusetts, in 1898.
He was affiliated with the as a coach and athletic director for approximately 30 years. He served in the United States Army Tank Corps during World War I. After being discharged from the Army, he played professional basketball in the New York State Basketball League. He also played professional baseball as a shortstop in the Detroit Tigers farm system with a team in Jackson, Michigan.
After sustaining an injury in 1924, he enrolled at Michigan State Normal College where he received a degree in physical education.
In 1926, Connelly was hired as the men"s basketball coach at the He served as the school"s men"s basketball coach for eight years from 1926 to 1934, compiling a 48–78 record. In 1928, he was also appointed as the school"s athletic director, a position he held from 1928 to 1934 and again from 1942 to 1949.
He also served as the head baseball coach at the from 1932 to 1950, compiling a 114–93 record. Connelly remained at the for nearly 30 years, and his other positions included track and cross country coach for six years, football coach for three years, and boxing coach for one year.
From 1949 until 1955, he served as a professor of physical education and head of the department of physical education.
He also wrote the "s fight song, "U of Toledo", in 1932. Connelly also served as the City of Toledo"s recreation supervisor during the summers from 1932 to 1937. Connelly died in 1955 at age 56.