Kelly Ellis (1992) - Hall of Fame

Kelly Ellis

Induction:
1992
Class:
1981

Waterloo native Kelvin "Kelly" Ellis made headlines as a key athlete at Northern Iowa.

Ellis was a star running back on the football team and sprinter on the track team at Waterloo West High School where he earned all-state, all-district, all-Big 8, all-Big 5 and two-time all-American honors. Twice he was named Most Valuable Player and was also named MVP in the Iowa High School All-Star game. Ellis finished his high school career by winning the 100 meter dash and anchoring the 4x100 meter relay team at the Drake Relays.

He set many records at the University of Northern Iowa in both football and track from 1977-81. In 1978, Kelly owned school records in the 60- and 300-yard dash and the 800, 400 yard and 400-meter relay teams. 1979 was a great year for him. On the football field, he set six school records. Against Western Illinois, he set an NCAA record for total offense with an amazing 405 yards. That record stood for seven years (1979-86). His other records included most rushing yards in a single game (382), season and career. He also had the most rushing attempts in a single game and career.

He graduated from UNI in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in design in human environment and minor in behavioral science. Ellis then went on to be supervisor at Williams Pipe Line Company.