Athletic Director for 17 years; Football Head Coach for four seasons
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Former Michigan Tech Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ted Kearly passed away on Sunday at the age of 93. He was the AD for 17 years and head coach for four seasons.
Ted Kearly guided the football team from 1969-72 and compiled a remarkable 29-7 (.806) record. During his tenure, the Huskies won three Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and went undefeated at 6-0 in 1972.
Kearly took over as Athletic Director following the 1972 football season and spent 17 successful years in the position. Kearly guided the start of women’s athletics into the Tech program, founded the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame, and saved the school’s football program when the budget was cut 76 percent in 1980.
Kearly originally came to Tech in 1967, serving as the Offensive Coordinator for the Huskies. After his tenure as AD, Kearly continued as a faculty member in the Physical Education Department until he retired in 1999.
Kearly was inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also honored with Distinguished Service Awards from both the GLIAC and the WCHA. Because of his longtime commitment to Michigan Tech, Kearly received the Honorary Alumni Award in 2021. Kearly is a longtime member of the Huskies Club and is recognized for his lifetime giving as a member of the Dillman Society.
An avid poker player, in 2007, Kearly entered the Doyle Brunson Classic in Las Vegas. He finished as runner-up, winning nearly $1.3 million. Kearly chose to share some of his winnings with Tech by investing in the football program. His contributions helped to provide the artificial turf at Sherman Field and led the way for additional significant renovations at the facility. He also volunteered in fundraising efforts for the Champions Pavilion.
In 2019, Michigan Tech renamed its football facility Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium because of the contributions of Kearly and his son, Tom, who compiled a 70-44 record as head coach of MTU’s football team from 2006-16.
Michigan Tech football annually presents the Ted Kearly Award to a player who exhibits passion, pride, and integrity on and off the field.
Kearly played football and baseball at Alpena High School and Michigan State University. He was the winner of the Biggie Munn Baseball Award at MSU.
