Former Rambler Christo Kelly lauded for his work off the field

Holy Cross football captain and fifth-year Christo Kelly was recently named to the 2024 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, a program that recognizes off-the-field contributions.

Kelly, a Wilmette native, is one of 22 student-athletes from across the country selected to the team from a record 178 nominees, and his selection represents the first time a Holy Cross Crusader has been named to the team since Tyler Zeoli in 2014.

“Being able to represent Holy Cross, it’s special,” Kelly said. “It’s such an honor to be recognized for something like this, since there are so many people in this school that have done such a great job, too. And while it’s me being recognized, it’s a product of the people around me — my mom, my dad, all of my teammates, especially [senior quarterback] Joe Pesansky. Whether it’s Uplifting Athletes, SAAC, Be The Match, it’s us doing this together.”

Kelly attended St. Francis-Xavier grade school in Wilmette and is a 2020 graduate of Loyola Academy, where he was an offensive lineman who helped the football team to a state championship in 2018.

Since arriving at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Kelly has been a leader in the Crusaders’ community service initiatives. He is the co-president of the Holy Cross Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He served an instrumental role in the opening of the Student-Athlete Nutrition Station.

“Over the last three years, Christo has been a champion ambassador for the student-athletes representing the football team in SAAC,” said Aaron Dashiell, assistant director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Development. “Starting as a member, Christo’s vocal leadership has landed him as one of our co-presidents. I would describe Christo as a connector and mobilizer. When he decides to champion a cause, there is no halfway for him — he goes all out. He’s exhibited that with his work with Uplifting Athletes, Be The Match bone marrow registration and the implementation of the Student-Athlete Nutrition Station.”

Kelly is also the co-founder of Holy Cross’ chapter of Uplifting Athletes, for which he collaborated with the national organization to develop and implement new initiatives and has helped lead the team’s annual Lift For Life event. He has also served as a co-chair and marketing strategist for the Holy Cross chapter of Cures for Kids and he helped coordinate a successful Color Run charity event.

Kelly is a team captain for the Crusaders and the team’s starting center. In 2023, he was named Third Team All-Patriot League and has made the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each of his first four seasons.

“The Holy Cross football family is incredibly proud of all the great work Christo has done in the classroom and on the field of competition, but without question, his biggest impact has been felt on our campus and in the city of Worcester,” Holy Cross football coach Dan Curran said in a statement. “He truly embodies the mission and values of the College, and I can’t think of another individual more deserving of this honor.”

Kelly’s two brothers were also standouts at Loyola. Hugh Kelly played alongside his younger brother at Holy Cross, while Joe Kelly is a 2024 LA grad who is on the roster at Colgate.

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