By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
When Rocky Batty stepped down from his head coaching position at Wellesley High School back in August, the conversation quickly shifted from “thank you, coach Batty” to who would take over the reigns.
Wellesley, a program that is known for residing in the top tier of the Bay State Conference year in and year out, and has qualified for the Division I state tournament each of the last four years, has no doubt become a hotbed for lacrosse talent.
This past week, however, Wellesley made an absolutely phenomenal hire that could further bolster their already tremendously successful program with the addition of Jim Connolly as its new head coach.
Connolly, a native of North Andover and graduate of North Andover High School (NAHS), has about as complete of a lacrosse resume as one could possibly have in this day and age. Arguably one of, if not the greatest player in the history of Massachusetts high school lacrosse, Connolly graduated from North Andover High School as the state’s all-time leading goal scorer with 324 goals along with 199 assists, was named an All-American during both his junior and senior seasons, and CAL (Cape Ann League) MVP, before earning a scholarship and taking his skills to UMass. It was at NAHS where Connolly played for legendary head coach as well as New England and Massachusetts Lacrosse Hall of Famer, Steve Connolly, who just so happens to be Jim’s father.
During Connolly’s freshman season at UMass in 2006, the Minutemen made an incredible postseason run all the way to the national title game, their first Division I Final Four/championship game appearance in program history. Ultimately, the Minutemen fell just short to the powerful freight train that was top-ranked Virginia, but 2006 was just the beginning of Connolly’s incredible collegiate career.
Over the course of the next three seasons, Connolly became one of the most highly touted players in the country. Throughout his four years in Amherst, Connolly scored a total of 90 goals and dished out 17 assists, was a three-time All-American, named to the ECAC’s All-Conference team following both his freshman and senior seasons, and again led the Minutemen back to the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
After graduating from UMass in the spring of 2009, Connolly was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 MLL Draft by his hometown team, the Boston Cannons. Connolly played seven seasons in the MLL with the Cannons and the Ohio Machine. Most notably, he led Ohio in scoring in 2012 with 27 goals, and ranked second on the team in total points (41).
In 2016, Connolly retired from the MLL and took coaching jobs at both the high school and youth levels, including the Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse Select All-Star team.
Wellesley High lacrosse is a program that is no stranger to sending its products onto the next level. Players such as Matt Dziama (Virginia), Grant Chryssicas (Amherst), and due-to-be senior captain and goaltender Teddy Darcey (Penn State commit) are some of the latest additions to the roster of Wellesley laxers who have or will play in college.
However, if there is anybody in the state of Massachusetts who knows how to develop and prepare for the next level in lacrosse, it’s Jim Connolly.
With the former UMass and North Andover High star now onboard, Wellesley should continue to see its boys lacrosse program flourish and produce even more collegiate-level talent than they already have, as incredible as that may sound.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
