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“New Rochelle has always held a special place in my heart,” Kennedy said of the honor, according to a statement. “It is a deep honor to be selected into their sports Hall of Fame and get a chance to experience this moment with family and such great friends."
Kennedy has coached for 31 consecutive years as a Division I head coach. He returned to coaching in Westchester this year when he joined Pace’s basketball staff in May, the announcement said. He is entering his first season as head coach of the Pace Setters.
Kennedy began his coaching career with New Rochelle’s Iona Gaels in 1978 as an assistant. He took on the head coach role at Iona in 1980 and guided the Gaels to the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1984 and 1985.
He has also coached at Florida State University, DePaul University, University of Montana and Towson University. Kennedy has accumulated 487 wins during his 31-year career with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, the release said. The head coach posted four 20-win seasons in six years and earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year honors in 1982, the release said. His career with Iona ended with 124 wins and won three MAAC Championships.
An induction ceremony will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Davenport Beach and Tennis Club in New Rochelle.
The Pace Setters open their 2013-14 season in November.
Four other inductees have made it into the New Rochelle Sport Hall of Fame, which celebrates sports greats who have served New Rochelle: Frank Alston, Dr. Dick Davidson, Lloyd D. Emanuel and Steve Strother.
