North Attleboro High School Alumni Association

Louis D. Kelley
Excellence in Education
2007

Lou Kelley’s career in North Attleboro is both unique and historic. For the better part of four decades, Lou’s trademark “Top o’ the mornin’ to ya” echoed throughout the halls of NAHS. No other individual in the history of the school system has held the positions of teacher, Department Head, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant to the Superintendent. Throw in some coaching of baseball, basketball, and junior high football, along with some driver education instruction and an historic trip through the archway in downtown Attleboro, and you have the resume of a legend.

Lou Kelley graduated from Attleboro High School in 1943, entered the service as an aviation cadet, and became a 2nd Lieutenant navigator bombardier flying B-24’s. Eventually, after practice runs “bombing” Holyoke, he found his way to Rhode Island State College, where he played four years of basketball and baseball and graduated in 1949. That fall, Lou took his first job in education in Jaffrey, NH, where he taught Biology and Chemistry and coached the baseball team to a league championship. The next year he returned to the area and crossed over to the other side-- taking a job at the North Attleboro YMCA.

Mr. Kelley’s legendary career at North Attleboro High School was launched in 1954 when he was hired to teach Physical Education as well as coach baseball and basketball. Four years later, Lou was appointed Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. He served in that capacity until the late 1960’s, when he became the Assistant Principal. Shortly thereafter, Lou became only the fourth person since 1928 to serve as the Principal of North Attleboro High School, and he would serve admirably in that position until 1981. Lou finished his career working as an assistant to Superintendent William Kelly, overseeing the buildings, grounds, custodians, transportation and more.

Since his retirement in 1986, Uncle Lou has continued to be an active supporter of North Attleboro High School. Besides attending varsity football games, Lou is a regular participant in the Dan Plumb Memorial Golf Day.

In 2003, in recognition of his many years of dedicated service, the front courtyard at the High School was named in his honor. Today, in the Louis D. Kelley Courtyard, there hangs a commemorative plaque that simply and eloquently summarizes the gift that Uncle Lou gave to the thousands of students, parents and teachers who passed by as they entered the front doors. It reads: “Lou Kelley—educator, leader, gentleman and true friend of North Attleboro High School.”