Saint Michael's College graduate Joe Connelly '87 returns for his 12th year as the the College's men's cross country coach in 2012.

In Connelly's 11 seasons at the helm of the Purple Knights, the team has placed in the top three at the Vermont Intercollegiate Championship seven times and has earned no worse than a top-eight showing at NCAA regional championships four times. During the 2003 season, Saint Michael's qualified its first runner for the NCAA Championship in program history.

In addition to coaching the men's cross country team, Connelly was also the head coach of the College's Nordic skiing program between 2001 and 2011.

Connelly is active in the local running community, serving as the Technical Coordinator for RunVermont, Inc., producer of the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, the second-largest marathon in New England, and a Runner's World top 20 U.S. marathon.

A six time letter-winner at Saint Michael's in Nordic skiing and cross country, Connelly has run in 20 marathons, including 10 Boston Marathons. He has also competed in the U.S. Triathlon Series and has worked as a personal trainer for individuals who want to improve their long-distance running.

A native of Glenville, N.Y., Connelly competed in Nordic and Alpine skiing, golf and tennis at Scotia-Glenville High School. Prior to joining the coaching staff of Saint Michael's, Connelly was employed as an accountant in the long-term care and software industries.