MIAMI GARDENS, Fla, - Join us this Friday, March 24 for the Dedication of the Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Softball Field at 4:30 pm prior to the Ave Maria game.

Thanks to a donation by the estate of St. Thomas University alumna Col. Jacquline J. Kelly, STU's softball complex has undergone a series of upgrades including the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system.

On Friday, March 24, the Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Softball Field will be officially dedicated in a pre-game ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m.  The pre-game festivities with also include the return of St. Thomas University Bobcat Sports of Famer Marinka (Bisceglia) Stuvel who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"This generous donation to our athletics department not only allows us to upgrade our facilities, but also gives us the opportunity to honor an amazing female, a champion of character," said Laura Courtley-Todd, STU Director of Athletics. "Jacquelin was a phenomenal role model, and will remain so through the naming of the softball complex."



 
Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly (MS, Sports Administration, 1987) had a strong belief that women should participate in competitive sports and pursue higher education. In her will, she generously left St. Thomas University's Athletic Program a bequest. This donation has been used to provide state-of-the-art stadium lighting as well as additional upgrades to the Women's Softball Complex. 

In recognition of her gift, the University officially dedicates  "The Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Field" at the St. Thomas University Softball Complex.

Col. Kelly grew up in New Jersey where her father was an attorney and a judge. She received her undergraduate degree from St. Elizabeth College and then continued her education at Seton Hall University and the University of Maryland.  Education was a tremendous priority to Col.Kelly who in turn earned four Masters degrees – including one in Chinese.

In 1960 Col. Kelly joined the U.S. Army and served for 21 years with stations in the Middle East and the Far East working in Military Intelligence.  She spent 12 of those years working at the Pentagon, where she achieved the rank of Colonel becoming the highest ranking woman at that time.  She also was a Dean at the Military College in West Virginia.

In the mid-1980s, Col. Kelly moved to South Florida. She continued her education by pursuing a Master's in Sports Administration and graduated in 1987 at the age of 56. A lifelong athlete and coach, she was once a competitive swimmer and later trained Monsignor Pace High School swim teams on the STU campus.

Col. Jacquelin Kelly passed away in 2014 at the age of 82.  Her legacy as a distinguished alumna of St. Thomas University and an advocate of Women's Sports will continue to be remembered with every softball game played at Col. Jacquelin J. Kelly Field.