SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Colin Kelly - 1968

Perhaps a recurring theme in the Class of 2019 is the "small but mighty" Warriors. Colin Kelly certainly fits that description. Looking on the surface, the numbers and the statistics regarding Colin's scholastic career at Sidney don't jump out at you. Yet, no one on the entire HOF roster has more Legacy Award honors than Colin

First came the 1964-65 wrestling team we honored in 2009. Four years later, his 1967-68 cross country team got medallions. Of course, he is a key member of the 1967-68 wrestling squad earning Legacy status in 2019. Three in all. So let's delve deeper...

Colin was a member of the very first varsity cross country team. Assembled and guided by Sidney Hall of Fame coach Bill Davidson. Bill also served alongside Tom Robertson as his JV wrestling coach and knew that not all wrestlers were big burly football players. So many of the lighter weight grapplers took to the sport initiated by Superintendent Howard Lynch. Dr. Lynch's famous quote was, "I had a choice of adding soccer or cross country to the budget for boys sports in 1965. I chose cross country because everyone one runs, no one is cut or sits on the bench."

He lettered in cross country all three seasons. As a sophomore and junior, his role on the team was either top JV or 5-6-7 varsity. By his senior year, the fall of 1967, Colin was a solid 3-4-5 (scoring) runner. That season, the third-year-of-existence Warriors went unbeaten in all dual and triangular meets, won the prestigious Sid Stock Invitational, and were Section IV Class A champions. As a Class B school, the bragging rights were many as Sidney never lost to another Section IV school, regardless of size.

But it was wrestling where Colin Kelly's story is best told. Colin was recruited by Coach Tom Robertson, who saw his potential. "He had that bounce in his step." His only full season of competition came as a senior; however ask Randy Payne and Rick Cole who provided their toughest daily challenges making the starting lineup and keeping them sharp for two years. The answer is Colin Kelly. Between Payne & Cole, their 3 state titles say it all.

Late January 1966, Colin got his first varsity chance and made the most of it - a 2^nd period pin vs. Whitney Point. He'd also win two Greene Novice Tourney championships.

So 1967-68 was his time and he did not disappoint. The Binghamton Press iconic sportswriter John Fox called him the "scrappy little gentleman" Sidney High School is well known for its good sportsmanship, displayed by our athletes. At the Windsor Christmas tournament, Colin raised our sportsmanship standards even higher. It was in the finals of the 105 lb. weight class. Colin appeared to have won the match, but the riding time was not factored into the score. At the podium when Colin’s name was announced the crowd roared with approval. When his opponent Tom McCarthy from Ithaca was announced the crowd booed. Colin earned his moral fiber medal at this moment. Shaking with renewed emotion, Colin put his arm around McCarthy and apologized for the crowd.

Later Colin would win the Section IV title and advance all the way to the NYS finals. His 22-2 record became 24-3 as he dropped a tough 9-6 decision to claim 2^nd place.

Colin served his country in the military and is a Navy Veteran. He is very active in volunteering his time whenever he is asked, mostly at his hometown American Legion. We congratulate Colin Kelly as a member of the 2019 class of the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.