TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 2/16/14
Staff Report

The lacrosse world is mourning the sudden death of Bel Air (MD) boys’ lacrosse coach and 2009 US Lacrosse Man of the Year John “Scoop” Kelly.

Kelly, 40, died at his Bel Air home on Saturday morning, according to a report in the Baltimore Sun.

Mr. Kelly had been in a serious car accident early in the week, but was released from the hospital and apparently recovering, the report said. The cause of death was unknown, the report said.

“His commitment to the kids was fantastic,” Bel Air athletic director Phyllis Hemmes told the Baltimore Sun. “That’s always where his focus was – on the boys and their futures. He’s a very caring person.”

mr. Kelly, named US lacrosse Man of the Year in the Baltimore region for his contributions to the sport, was also a social studies teacher at Bel Air and served as head coach since 2005.

In that time he posted a record of 100-43, according to record reported by LaxPower. Last year, he led the Bobcats (12-4) to a berth in the Maryland Public Class 4A/3A South region title game.

He also was the owner and co-director of the Tribe Lacrosse program, which offers boys’ and girls’ summer youth camps and winter teams. According to the Tribe website, Kelly ran the program with Colin Carr – who preceded him as coach at Bel Air and for whom he served as an assistant before taking over the program.

Mr. Kelly was a 1991 graduate of Fallston High (MD) who played college lacrosse (attackman) at Mary Washington College.

The Tribe website also noted that Kelly was the 2005, 2007, and 2013 Coach of the Maryland Senior All-Star Team and coached the Harford County Senior All-Star Team.

Mr. Kelly led the 2010 Bel Air Bobcats (16-2) to the Susquehanna Division Championship and the UCBAC Division Championship. He guided the team to the Regional Championship game in 2011 and in 2012 he took the Bobcats to the 4A/3A semifinals.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Schimunek Funeral Home, 610 W. Macphail Road, in Bel Air.

The mass of Christian burial service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church, 2407 Laurel Brook Road, in Fallston. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to the Bel Air High School Men’s Lacrosse Program, 100 Heighe Street, Bel Air, MD 21014.