UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Since 2018, Jack Kelly has played a vital role as a midfielder to the Penn State men's lacrosse team. Kelly is set to continue his lacrosse career in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) following his final season this spring for Penn State.
For Kelly, growing up in Canada meant getting involved in the country's national sports: hockey and lacrosse. Being a Canadian native, inspired Kelly to want to represent his country at the highest level possible in athletics.
"My father got my brother and I into lacrosse at a very young age," said Kelly, who has played in all 12 games and started seven for the Nittany Lions this spring. "I had never played but I just wanted to play the national sport of Canada. For me it was always between hockey and lacrosse and I just thought that lacrosse at Penn State would be the best route for me."
Representing Canada during his time at Penn State means everything to Kelly. Being able to put up numbers and have success in the goal scoring realm to Kelly is the true embodiment of a Canadian lacrosse player.
"There have been a lot of Canadians that have come through this program and have had very successful careers," said Kelly. "Keeping in touch with them, learning, and talking about being Canadian on this team has been super influential to me. You try not to put too much pressure on yourself even though they have left big shoes to fill. It feels good to have Coach Tambroni believe that you're the kind of Canadian to come in and bring our style of play here to this program."
In Canada, all the high level of lacrosse that is played is box lacrosse. Kelly thrived in that environment of a fast-paced level of play, and coming to Penn State for him meant becoming more comfortable with field lacrosse. However, that adjustment was rather effortless for Kelly due to his relentless talent, perseverance, and determination for success here at Penn State.
"It's a very different game in terms of speed of play, possessions, and things like that," he said. "Box lacrosse allows you to be more free with the ball, more creative, and you can try things all the time where in field lacrosse you can't afford those turnovers. So, a huge adjustment for me was kind of just valuing the ball and getting used to all the space you have here."
Kelly's loyalty and passion for his experience in Canada with box lacrosse inspired him to enter the 2021 draft for the National Lacrosse League (NLL), a league dedicated specifically to box lacrosse. He was selected as the 21st overall pick to the New York Riptide.
"I grew up with season tickets to the Toronto Rock with my family, we used to always go to their games on Friday and Saturday nights and it was always a ton of fun," said Kelly. "Growing up, it was always a dream of mine to play in that league. I'm honored to be drafted with the New York Riptide."
The current general manager of the Riptide, Jim Veltman was previously the captain of the Toronto Rock, a team Kelly grew up watching and loving. Having that sense of familiarity pursuing the rest of his lacrosse career with someone he idolized is comforting to Kelly as he makes the transition to the NLL.
Instead of transitioning straight to the NLL in 2021, Kelly decided his time at Penn State was not yet finished as he pursued the extra year of eligibility as a graduate student this past season. As his time as a Nittany Lion is rapidly coming to a close, he reflected on what this program meant to him and why he felt he needed to stay for another season.
"It was a pretty easy decision for me," he said. "I found an academic program that fit what I wanted to do and would progress me academically. The lacrosse part was a no-brainer. I would do anything to get more years to play for Penn State, play for Coach Tambroni, and play with these guys on my team."
Throughout his time in the Blue and White, he has earned USILA third-team All-American recognition, named an honorable-mention All-American by Inside Lacrosse, earned a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten Team, and was named USILA Scholar All-American. Kelly is leaving Penn State with a legacy of commitment, perseverance, and dedication to this program, his coaches, and teammates.
While he leaves a legacy behind, he is ready to look ahead to the next step is his successful career.
"My short-term goal is to do my best to get a spot on the Riptide roster," said Kelly. "Whether it be field or box lacrosse. In the meantime, I'll be moving down to Charleston, South Carolina to be a full time coach to help young kids push towards the next level."
As he transitions to the NLL, Kelly will remember his time at Penn State through the memories he made, the lessons he learned, and people he has met.
