April 11, 2022
COLUMBIA — Pat Kelly has been hired as the next Athletic and Activities Director at Fr. Tolton Catholic High School. Kelly succeeds Gary Link, who served in the position since March 2019. Kelly will work with Link over the next two months, before assuming the role full-time June 1, 2022. During the transition period, Kelly will be tasked with filling three head coach positions (head volleyball coach, head girls’ golf coach, head girls’ basketball coach) and an assistant coach (dance).
Tolton’s Athletic and Activities Director oversees 20 MSHSAA varsity sports, fine arts, as well as 14 other clubs and activities.
“We were fortunate to have a number of qualified candidates for the position, but what stood out about Pat was his wealth of understanding of the school’s mission and culture,” said Dr. Dan Everett, Tolton Catholic’s President and Principal. “He not only has a proven track record of building winning teams, but he conveyed a true desire to use athletics and activities as a vehicle to further develop our students in spirit, heart, mind, and body.”
A member of the inaugural faculty in 2011, Kelly earned his Bachelor’s in Secondary Education and obtained his certification in Secondary and Middle School Social Studies from the University of Missouri. He earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Columbia College in 2020. He served as a member of Tolton’s VISION 2020 Strategic Planning Committee.
In his 11 years as a faculty member, Kelly taught Government, Geography, U.S. History, World History, Health, P.E., Intro to Law, Current Events, and AP US History. He coordinated the House Program at Tolton for three years and sponsored Key Club, Aquarium Club, the Summer Weights Program, and the Blazer Athletics Running and Fitness Club.
Starting in the school’s first year, Kelly served as an Assistant Coach for Track and Cross Country. He was promoted to Head Track Coach in 2014 and led the Trailblazers to the school’s first State Championship in 2015 (Girls’ Track). The track team also won State Championships in 2016 (Girls) and 2021 (Boys). In addition, the Cross Country team won State Championships in 2020 (Boys) and 2021 (Girls), during which time he was an assistant coach. Kelly also assisted with Girls’ Basketball for the first two seasons.
“I’m thrilled to build upon the many successes of the department over the last 11 years,” Kelly said. “I feel blessed to be able to transition into this new role at a place that I have dedicated my entire professional career to and care deeply about its future success. I am looking forward to working with our incredible students in this new capacity as well as our dedicated coaches and supportive community. My primary focus will be to ensure that all students have the best experience possible with our athletics and activities programs.”
The hiring committee for the position consisted of Dr. Dan Everett (School President/Principal), Jill McIntosh (Vice President, Director of Advancement), Rose Lloyd (Finance Director), Brenda Neuhaus (Administrative Assistant for Athletics and Activities), and two Tolton head coaches.
