The Liberty League is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2019-2020 academic year. Originally founded as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) in 1995, the conference was renamed the Liberty League during the summer of 2004. Each Thursday throughout the year, the Liberty League will be celebrating its silver anniversary by recognizing outstanding teams and individuals from its rich 25-year history.
As Liberty League basketball play gets set to resume with the start of the new year, the league recognizes Kelly Donnelly of Skidmore College, one of the top women's basketball players in its 25-year history.
During her distinguished career, Donnelly became the first three-time Liberty League Player of the Year, earning the honor in each of her final three seasons. She was the league’s Co-Rookie of the Year in 2014-15.
As a senior in 2017-18, Donnelly was one of 25 players in the country named to the D3hoops.com All-America squad as an honorable mention selection. She joined Skidmore alum Sarah McEachron '99 as the only D3hoops.com All-Americans in program history. Donnelly was also named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III Coaches All-American for the third time in her career. She was also named to the D3hoops.com All-East Region First Team – the only Liberty League player recognized.
The Wynantskill, N.Y. native finished a stellar Skidmore career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,823 points along with 1,032 rebounds (third all-time). She became the first Skidmore player ever with at least 1,600 points and 1,000 rebounds.
As a senior Donnelly, a D3hoops.com 2017-18 Preseason All-America selection, led the Liberty League in scoring at 19.3 points and 2.4 steals per game, finishing second in rebounds (9.1 rpg) and third in shooting percentage (.465). Nationally, Donnelly was fourth in the country with 227 field goals made and 17th in the nation with 540 total points. She scored in double figures in every game her senior season, finishing her career with 67 consecutive double-digit performances over three seasons. She tallied 13 double-doubles, bringing her career total to 50, and scored 20 or more points 13 times, including a season-high 30 points against RPI.
"Kelly was one of the most talented players to play in the Liberty League in my 14-year coaching career at Skidmore and in the Liberty League," said former Skidmore head coach Darren Bennett, now an assistant coach at Division I Boston University. "She could score on any opponent from 15 feet and in with near ease. When we moved her to the forward spot her freshman year she propelled us to a late-game comeback and our first postseason conference championship.
"Her game only matured from that point to get more polished from other areas on the court," added Bennett. "Kelly is with ease a future Skidmore athletics hall of fame inductee and will go down as one of the best to ever don the green and gold. Kelly will forever be remembered as one of the Liberty League's best ever on the court for women’s basketball players."
Donnelly helped Skidmore to two Liberty League titles in her for seasons. The Thoroughbreds captured their first league title in 2014-15 during Donnelly’s freshman season. She then led Skidmore to regular-season and tournament titles as a senior in 2018-19.
25th Anniversary Spotlight Series:
10/24/2019 - 1999 St. Lawrence University Men's Soccer
10/31/2019 - Sara Artus, Clarkson University, Volleyball (2008-2011)
11/7/2019 - Ali Marpet, Hobart College, Football (2011-2015)
11/14/2019 - 1997 William Smith College Field Hockey
11/21/2019 - Grant O'Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2015-2019)
11/28/2019 - Andrew Franks, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football (2011-2015)
12/5/2019 - 2013 William Smith College Women's Soccer
12/12/2019 - John Coleman, Clarkson University, Basketball and Baseball (2011-2015)
12/19/2019 - Nickie Griesemer, Ithaca College, Swimming & Diving (2013-2018)