ONEONTA, N.Y. -- On Wednesday afternoon, Oneonta men's soccer junior Dillon Kelly (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Beacon) was named the 2024 SUNYAC Men's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year. The award is nominated and voted on by the conference sports information directors.

"I want to congratulate Dillon on earning this prestigious award," said Director of Athletics Ryan Hooper. "To excel in the classroom and in a sport, such as soccer, takes a tremendous amount of dedication. It's apparent all the work that Dillon has put into his academics and the men's soccer program."

Kelly holds a 3.95 overall GPA as a Biology major and was a 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection. He started 17 games at defense for the Red Dragons men's team this past season and was named All-SUNYAC third team for his performance.

"In his first three years with us, Dillon has developed into a team leader and is the ultimate role model on and off the field," head coach Iain Byrne stated. "He excels in the classroom and is as popular with his professors as he is with his teammates."

Kelly helped the Oneonta defense by forcing opponents to nine shutouts in 2024 and limited teams to 0.78 goals, 9.9 total shots and 4.6 shots on goal per game. Offensively, he was third on the team with four assists.

"He exemplifies what it means to be a Red Dragon and an exemplary scholar athlete," Hooper concluded. "I couldn't be happier for him on this award."