Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1981
- Class:
- 1927
Joseph Kelly, a member of the Legion of Honor and the XU Basketball Hall of Fame, came to Xavier (then St. Xavier College) heralded as one of the greatest high school athletes in Ohio. And during his three years of varsity competition at Xavier, he earned himself the title of the best all-around athlete at Xavier. Kelly was a three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball, and the 1927 basketball captain.
On the gridiron, Kelly filled the position of fullback, and he filled it to perfection. He was called the "Balkan Bonecrusher" by the sportswriters, and earned the reputation as the hardest hitting fullback around. Whenever the Musketeers needed two or three yards, it was Kelly who was given the ball, and he would normally plow forward for the first down. His nickname of "Bonecrusher" also applied to the savage way he'd break up passes while playing defense.
Kelly also helped the Musketeer basketball team to one of its best years ever in 1926-27. As a guard on the team, he was known as a strong defensive player, a swift dribbler and a deadly shot from deep range.
Kelly also had a strong reputation as a pitcher on the Musketeer baseball team. He was a team leader in that sport as well.
