COVINGTON, Ga. — Family, friends, teammates and coaches of soccer standout Patrick Kelly gathered in the Eastside High School auditorium to celebrate Kelly’s signing with Oglethorpe University. 

Kelly said he felt “relief” in signing the scholarship. 

“It feels so relieving to have that next step after high school set,” Kelly said. “No more stress of having to constantly put yourself out there to try to get noticed.” 

Though Kelly is undecided on what he intends to major in, there’s no doubt in his mind Oglethorpe University is where he wants to spend his collegiate career. 

“I want to be challenged both in the classroom and on the field. Oglethorpe does that for me,” Kelly said. “I believe that Oglethorpe will make me into a much better soccer player to give me the opportunity to move on in soccer and Oglethorpe will give me the academic ability to pursue other ideas if things don’t work out.” 

Kelly went on a total of four visits to Oglethorpe University’s campus — three for a school tour and one visit focused solely on the soccer program. 

During the soccer-oriented visit, Kelly participated in a college ID camp where he competed against college athletes. At the end of the camp, he was chosen to play on the All-Star team.

Kelly said he feels prepared for what Oglethorpe University has to offer. However, he is grateful for his time as an Eastside Eagle. 

He said Eastside’s support has helped position him for the opportunity ahead. 

“Eastside has been tremendously important to my success both on and off the field because of the teachers and the soccer program here,” Kelly said. “At Eastside I have been constantly pushed by my teachers to achieve greater heights every day, which has allowed me to become a great academic student. The soccer program at Eastside has allowed me to develop and get better year after year.” 

In addition to the constant support Kelly has always felt at Eastside, he expressed how he’ll miss the relationships and people he’s met along the way. 

Whether it be teachers, coaches or teammates, as Kelly thought back on his high school career, he could hardly describe the impact each person has made on him. 

“I appreciate the lifetime bonds I’ve developed from being an Eagle the most,” Kelly said. “All the people I’ve met whether through soccer or school life. I appreciate the teachers that have helped me become the person I am today.”