Kerry A. Kelley (2024) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

Kerry A. Kelley

Induction:
2024
Class:
1987

Forty years ago, Kerry Kelley arrived on College Hill determined to elevate Maureen Enos’ women’s basketball program, and she certainly did just that!

As the starting point guard in her freshman and sophomore seasons, Kelley led the Bears to back-to-back Ivy League titles (1984, 1985) – the first Ivy League Championships ever won by a Brown basketball team – men’s or women’s.

A three-time All-Ivy player, Kelley still holds the Brown record for career assists with 549, the second most in Ivy League history. Her 16 assists against Penn in 1986 still stand as the Brown and Ivy League single-game record.

Kerry was also a standout defensively for the Bears, with 305 career steals, the most in program history and among the top five in the Ivy League. However, it is important to recognize that these records were set when seasons averaged six fewer games than they do today.

Three of her teammates, all Brown Athletic Hall of Famers, were inspired to comment on Kerry’s selfless play for the team.

Donna Yaffe ’85 said, “It has NEVER been lost on me that much of my scoring than I did when I played with Kerry was assisted by Kerry. She had an amazing way of drawing and splitting defenses, then making a pinpoint pass seem seamless... she knew, accepted, and enjoyed her role on the team as a passer and is someone who would throw her body on the floor for any ball in the vicinity, not only an attempt to create an opportunity for the team but also to excite and motivate her teammates... which she always did!”

Christa Champion ’86 noted her “singular talent as a playmaker. Kerry was also a great defender who consistently out-muscled opponents for rebounds, out-hustled them for loose balls, and struck fear into opposing point guards with her ball-hawking. Kerry was nothing short of the emotional engine of our team. Her fiery passion sparked defense and led our attack, and her presence on the court lifted everybody else’s performance.”

Michelle Smith, ’86, stated, “Kerry had a phenomenal variety of passes, could score and rebound when needed... she contributed to everybody being their best in practice and games.”

Kerry was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame and the New Hampshire Hall of Fame.

Kelley has three children, Kyle, Courtney, and Amy.

After taking up recreational ice hockey at 35, Kelley’s accomplishments continued as she was a member of the over-50 Tier 3 Women’s National Championship Team.