Nazareth Academy High School named Brigid Sullivan Kelley (class of 1998) as Director of Athletics.
School president Denise LePera said, “Mrs. Kelley is prepared to transition Nazareth into the Philadelphia Catholic League for the 2023- 2024 inaugural season. Her leadership and commitment to academics, discipline and Catholic identity provides an excellent foundation for our student-athletes. Her passion to Nazareth lends itself well to success. In her experience as both a college Division I and II coach and as a youth soccer coach in a prominent league for more than 23 years, Mrs. Kelley has managed issues of eligibility, compliance, scheduling, mentoring student-athletes and working closely with coaches. Under her leadership, student-athletes will be challenged to be the best version of themselves on the field or court but foremost in the classroom and in their daily lives as they live out our Catholic identity.”
Kelley was inducted to Nazareth’s Hall of Fame Class of 2020 for her achievements in soccer. While at Nazareth, she was a four-year starter on the soccer team, a four-year AACA Selection, AACA champion her junior and senior years, and co-captain her senior year. She was also a member of the basketball and track teams and the National Honor Society.
Her soccer career continued at Seton Hall University, where she was a four-year starter, co-captain for three years, named to the Big East Rookie Team, three-time Big East Player of the Week, Academic All-American and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was also chosen for the Olympic Development Program in the Eastern PA Youth Soccer Association for six years.
She was Seton Hall’s assistant women’s soccer coach from 2002-07 and inducted into the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame in 2017. She comes to Nazareth from Chestnut Hill College, where she was the assistant women’s soccer coach.
Nazareth principal James Meredith said, “Brigid Sullivan Kelley brings expertise, leadership and passion to her alma mater as the new athletic director. A successful student-athlete during her days and at Nazareth and then as an accomplished college athlete, coach and community leader, she ‘walks the walk.’ As Nazareth Academy begins an exciting new chapter in its story with its first year of membership in the Philadelphia Catholic League, we know that Mrs. Kelley will continue to grow the program while mindful of the mission of the school and do what is best for our students.”
Kelley coaches two youth soccer teams and enjoys spending time at the shore with her husband Brendan and four children: Ryan, Aiden, Bridie and Kathleen. Kelley and her family reside in East Torresdale and are members of St. Katherine of Siena Parish.
Kelley, who began her new role on Monday, replaces Dan Bradley, who had been AD since 2014. Bradley remains soccer coach. ••
