UT Helps Osby Kelly Find His True Calling

It has been a long journey for Osby Kelly, a member of the University of Tampa men's basketball team. It all started in Mississippi, where he was born and spent the first 10 years of his life. At the age of 11, Kelly and his family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was hard for an 11-year-old to adjust and make new friends again. Kelly visited his childhood friends from Mississippi several times but it still wasn't the same.

Basketball wasn't the only thing Osby Kelly was good at. He played baseball his whole life until he realized that basketball was his real talent.

The journey continued when Kelly chose to attend The University of Tampa. "I'm really glad I chose UT. Looking back on it I've done well in school, in basketball and made a lot of friends along the way."

With school and basketball, Kelly was never really homesick. "I didn't have time to miss home because my parents always pushed me to do my best in school and basketball. They always stayed on me to have success in school first and basketball second. Not giving my all was not acceptable in my family."

Kelly feels he has his parents to thank for making great strides since his freshman year. "I've definitely gotten much better at basketball and in much better shape. Also, in school I've realized what I wanted to do. It's all because my parents pushed me to do things to the best of my abilities."

After college, Kelly still plans on playing basketball in a league for fun and to stay in shape. However, his true dream is to work in the FBI. Kelly started at UT as an accounting major but quickly realized that wasn't for him. A member of Kelly's church in Louisiana, Silas Geralds, sparked Kelly's interest in joining law enforcement.

This prompted Kelly to switch his major to criminology and take a class called Violence in America with Dr. Krahl. This was Kelly's favorite class ever at UT. Then, his junior year, Kelly did a ride along with a policeman and Kelly knew at that point this is what he wanted to do.

After he graduates, Kelly is going to take the test to get into the police academy and wants to stay in Florida.

When Kelly has free time he enjoys watching sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Braves and Kentucky basketball. Additionally, when he needs to refuel after a long day of school and basketball, Kelly loves dining at one of Tampa's popular restaurants, Daily Eats.

Osby Kelly is set to graduate in May 2012 with a degree in criminology and four years of college basketball under his belt.

Written by Alexa Della Rocco