In January he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in a ceremony during their convention in San Diego. My brother Brian (his assistant coach for 20+ years) accepted the award for my Dad as he was unable to attend for health reasons.

Jack Vallely is truly a legend among collegiate baseball mentors. Vallely has amassed incredible records – many of which may remain forever. Vallely was the longest active collegiate baseball coach in the nation. In his 51 years of coaching he never missed a game or practice. His career record of 726 wins, 278 losses and 5 ties (.727 average) places him among the elite in the college coaching ranks.

 
Vallely began his coaching career at Curry College in 1948. Since then his teams have enjoyed a national reputation and have led the nation in batting four times (1976, 1989, 1993, 1994, his 1995 team finished just .0002 behind the national leader). During his tenure 40 of his players have signed professional baseball contracts. Most importantly, all but one graduated.

Coach Vallely has received countless national awards and accolades including Coach of the Year honors from the ABCA, the Louisville Slugger Award for outstanding coaching achievement, the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, the College “All Star” Game Coach, the Boston Globe Sportsman of the Year as well as other awards in recognition of leadership and devotion to collegiate baseball. On October 19, 1991, Vallely became the first coach inducted into the Curry College Athletic hall of Fame.

Coach Vallely celebrated his 50th season in grand style, clinching a 700th career win, sweeping the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament for a second win in three years and advancing to the final four in the ECAC Tournament. On June 29, 1997 Curry celebrated Jack Vallely Day with the Red Sox at Fenway Park where Vallely threw out the first pitch.
    

On February 6, 1998 Vallely was voted by his fellow coaches throughout the nation Collegiate Baseball’s co-recipient of “College Coach of the Century” in the NCAA Division III.

Vallely did not limit his coaching success to baseball. The durable coach also was  basketball coach at Curry from 1948 to 1963 compiling an amazing record of 397 wins 77 losses (.838 average) including victories over University of Chicago, Indiana Tech and McGill University (then the Canadian Olympic Team).

Additionally Jack was a professional baseball scout for over 40 years, earning four Championship rings from the Reds, Mets and A’s. Most recently he served as scouting supervisor for the Cleveland Indians. He also spent four years as sports director for radio station WCRB.

Beyond the realm of athletics, Vallely has also served Curry College with distinction in a number of capacities including: Athletic Director, Director of Admission, Vice President, Purchasing Director, Director of Campus Services, and Special Assistant to the President.

A resident of Newton, MA, Jack and his late wife, Dorothy, have five children and four grandchildren. His son, Brian, was his Assistant Coach for over 20 years.

In what has to be his greatest honor, On October 24, 1998 Curry College dedicated its baseball field “Jack Vallely Diamond.”
   

On February 9, 1999 while suiting up for his 52nd season opening practice, Jack suffered a major stroke which ended his coaching career, however he still remains an active and beloved fixture in the Curry community.