In September 1986, Dennis Hollinger and Richard Henline decided to form a fan club. They had both been involved with Starfleet Command, a role playing group. Dennis had achieved the rank of Captain and was given the U.S.S. Kelly for a command.
Together, they decided to share their trek with others, and boy are we glad they did! From its humble beginnings, the Kelly has grown from two people to a huge family of friends.
Now after many years longer than most clubs last, we continue to evolve. In 1998 Starfleet Command disbanded. As it’s final official actions the name was transfered to Dennis Hollinger and he was promoted to Admiral. The New Starfleet Command based in Salt Lake City. Richard Henline was made the Captain of the USS Kelly, Flagship of the Seventh Fleet. Three other clubs joined with the Kelly as the founding chapters. Two of these clubs, the U.S.S. Ticonderoga and the U.S.S. Retributor were spinoffs from the Kelly which had by then established themselves as viable entities of themselves. The fourth chapter, the U.S.S. Rendezvous, was an independent club also functioning as the official Science Fiction club of Utah State University. They had had some joint events with the Kelly and jumped at the chance to join the new Seventh Fleet.
In January of 2010 Richard Henline was promoted to Commodore as reassigned to Fleet Operations. David Thalmann was made the new Captain of the Kelly. At the same time the U.S.S. Atlantis was inducted into the Fleet as the first ship since the founding to join from outside.
Today we are a growing community of Science Fiction Fans. As Admiral Hollinger has often said, "The only real ships are friendships." We strive to uphold the value and quality of life as individuals and as a family.
Over the past 28 years (2014) we’ve had nothing but fun. Through service projects, picnics, game nights, BBQ’s, stargazing, conventions, cook-offs, bowling, musem visits, and banquets we’ve learned to enjoy the fellowship of our crewmembers. Please take a look at our Activity Log (dating back to 1997) showing all the excitement in which we’ve taken part.