Saint Michael's College graduate Joe Connelly enters his fifth season as head coach of the Purple Knights' men's and women's Nordic ski team in 2006. Connelly is responsible for all coaching duties for the program, which competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Skiing Association against the top programs in the East. In Connelly's first four seasons as head coach the team has grown from three student-athletes to fielding a full squad of 12 racers and looks to qualify skiers for the NCAA Championships in the near future.

In addition to his work with the ski program, Connelly has been the head coach of the Saint Michael's men's cross country team since 2001.

Connelly brings an extensive background in endurance sports and coaching to Saint Michael's. He has raced in 20 marathons, including 10 consecutive Boston Marathons, and competed on the U.S. Triathlon Series, including the 1989 USTS National Championship.

Connelly is a 1987 graduate of Saint Michael's with a degree in accounting. He was a letterwinner on the Nordic team all four years and also a cross country letter-winner his junior and senior years. Prior to joining the coaching staff of Saint Michael's, Connelly was employed as an accountant in the long-term care and software industries. A resident of Burlington, he currently serves as Technical Coordinator for RunVermont, Inc, producer of the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and other sporting events and camps. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Education at Saint Michael's.