For James Kenny, the influence of Catholic education began prior to starting first grade at St. Aloysius Academy.

He was born and raised in Rome, just two doors down from SAA, surrounded by two Catholic schools, SAA and Academy of the Holy Names, and three convents — growing up in the midst of Catholic education influence, both in and out of a school building.

Kenny attended SAA until it closed in 1963, he became a member of the first freshman class of Rome Catholic High School, graduating in 1967. His athletic career at RCH included basketball, football and baseball.

Upon graduation from Utica College, he returned to Rome Catholic as a teacher and basketball coach for two years, leaving to teach in the Rome City School District until retiring after 33 years.

Kenny was a member of Frank Didio’s staff, coaching the boys freshman and junior varsity basketball teams for three years. Later, he became the boys assistant varsity coach for head coach Mike Adey for five years. In 1988, he became the boys head varsity coach for the next 16 years. During his 16 years as head coach, Kenny’s teams won five league championships, four Section III Championships, three state regional trips and one New York State Final Four trip.

Kenny has been married to the former Mary Anne Barry, a member of the RCH Class of 1969, for 47 years.