Rushing for 4,037 yards and 47 touchdowns in his varsity Football career at New Trier, star running back Matt Kelly figured he would be playing Division I football at a Big Ten school. “I am a football guy at heart,” Kelly said, “I was set on playing college football”.
Kelly set the New Trier record for rushing (4,037) and touchdowns (47), while earning conference player of the year over current NFL running back Rashard Mendenhall, who played at Niles West. Due to a hurt shoulder during football season, Kelly was not able to play baseball, therefore he needed to pick up another sport. “That’s when I picked up lacrosse; my friends encouraged me to try out for the team.”
Kelly was an instant standout in lacrosse making the all-state team in his Junior and Senior years. Even with his success, Kelly still had his sights set on playing college football. But after a lacrosse camp in the summer after his Junior year, recruiters recognized his talent and Kelly was receiving national notice for lacrosse.
When he returned home from the lacrosse camp, he received a phone call from University of Virginia’s Head Coach, Dom Starsia. Starsia offered Kelly a scholarship to play for the Cavaliers. “It was a good fit for me, great academics, and a very good lacrosse program.” Playing at Virginia was a great opportunity for Kelly.
Though the offer from Virginia was too good pass up, “If Coach Starsia never called, I would have played football in college. It was hard being away from football but I have no regrets.” Kelly went from a sophomore not playing lacrosse, to playing lacrosse at a prestigious school nationally known for its program.
After graduating from New Trier, it only got better for Kelly. He picked up where he left off during his senior year, leading Virginia to a final four. Kelly became the first freshman in school history to start each game, and he was named to the Inside Lacrosse All-Freshman Team.
Kelly’s great experience playing at Virginia was satisfying and rewarding, “… Playing at Virginia really shaped who I am today,” he said. He won a national championship at Virginia along with making it to three separate final fours. By his senior year of college, Kelly was one of the most elite defense man in the country.
Virginia head coach Dan Starsia said, “He definitely cherishes the opportunity to get matched up against the top attack men. We have no qualms with putting him in with the best guys in the country. He has the ability to defend anyone in the country, and no matter who I put him on, you can be pretty sure Matt is going to take him out of the game.”
Kelly’s lacrosse career continued at the professional level. Kelly was drafted to the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Unfortunately, Kelly suffered a torn ACL, prohibiting him from playing his first year. Although he continued to play professionally, it became exhausting with his work life.
This past year Kelly was an assistant coach with the New Trier varsity lacrosse team. Kelly enjoys coaching, and hopes he is making an impact on the players, “As a coach, you hope that each individual can take the lessons they have learned on the field, and make use of it off the field.”
Kelly will also spend time in the weight room with Strength and Conditioning Coach Jim Davis, preparing the lacrosse team for the upcoming season, “Jim Davis is a close friend. He was my senior helper at New Trier. He invited me to help out in the strength room this fall, and it’s been a lot of fun working with guys in the program”.
Matt Kelly is one New Trier’s greatest athletes, excelling in both football and lacrosse. Kelly expanded his lacrosse career to the collegiate and professional level where he continued to be a standout. Today, Kelly still gives back to his hometown, working with the New Trier varsity lacrosse team.