By Colin Donahoe
Here at Branford High School, a fashion icon, longtime social studies teacher, and championship-winning coach roams the halls for the last time this school year.
Kevin Connell, who is known by ultiple names – Kev, Mr. Connell, Coach to name a few – is planning to retire in June. In his 35 years at Branford, Connell has had a large impact.
Looking back on his career, one of the first memories he has of teaching at Branford High School was when the Olympic torch ran by.
“During the 1984 Olympics in LA,” he recalled. “I remember the Olympic torch would be ran by Branford and no one cared!”
Most retirees have some sort of plan for their retirement. Kev is no exception. His plan isn’t entirely set in stone but the rough draft is there – coaching and traveling, he said.
“I’m going to coach for a couple more years because that’s something I truly enjoy,” he said. “All three of my kids live away in different states and even another country.”
“I’m running out of gas and want to use the rest of my tank the best way,” he said.
Connell spent his first 35 years in alternative education with the Horizons program. This year he was moved to general education classes. Kev said he was disappointed when he was moved because of how long he spent in Horizons and the many memories he had there.
Kev is also a three-season coach for BHS, coaching cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field. “The cross country and fall season is definitely my favorite,” said Kev. “In cross country, kids just run.” Kev does not have anything against his track coaching seasons considering outdoor track and field comes a close second. “The only problem I have with track is you are JUST at the track.” he said. “Cross country lets you explore and experience the season more.”
In the years coaching, Kev has tons of memories of when he was a coach. One special memory is from the early 2000s, when a runner from BHS won the SCC Championship race four years in a row with sisters Naimh and Orlaith Cunningham. Orlaith also finished second at the State Open her senior year.
“We were at the bottom of the Green Monster [hill on the course] and out came Orlaith in 2nd place, next thing I knew the parents and I were all sprinting across the field,” Kev said. “This was truly special to see all the team’s support come together for one athlete.”
Another highlight was in 2013 when the girls’ team won the Class M State Championship. The year prior the boys team were in contention with a championship but came up short. Kev however did not. His son ran for the winning team, Guilford. As his team was coping with the defeat, Kev was taking pictures of Guilford for his son. This of course was difficult considering how close it was. But glory came the year after. The girls team came out on top.
“You always hope to win, but when you win it’s surreal,” he said.
His best memory from coaching track was when the girls team came in second at the State Open with only two athletes. This was mainly thanks to who Kev says as the best athlete to come through the program, Tahari James. James actually holds the state record in women’s long jump at 19ft 8in. But at the open meet she didn’t even score at that event. That didn’t stop her.
“Tahari would do superhuman things,” said Kev. James turned around and won the high jump instead. James and Cunningham led Branford to a second place tie.
Kev loves to talk. Not figuratively or metaphorically. Kev will talk about anything and everything. When asked who he’d like to talk to the most, Kev said American author John Steinbeck. Kev said he would love to talk about the books Steinbeck wrote, including The Grapes of Wrath. He feels Stienback writes about America’s story which is truly interesting to Kev.
How did Kev become such a fashion icon? Kev learned this from his uncle when he was younger. For those of you who don’t know, Kev like to wear his typical Hawaiian shirts matched with cargo shorts, paired with some spiffy shoes and accessories. This uncle “never wore jeans” said Kev.
Kev’s unique style has spawned a regular team dress up day – Dress Like Kev Day. For this dress up day, the athletes dress in Hawaiian shirts, cargo shorts, and have the stop watch dangling around the neck.
Kev’s fashion may not be the most known, but it is definitely the most unique.
Editor's Note: This is one of a series of articles about teachers who are retiring from BHS this year.
