From a mile away

There’s one thing all Flyers know: When two Flyers meet, a good time will be had by all.

Dan Kelley ’71 was reminded how much that sentiment rings true during the Farmers Insurance Open Golf Tournament earlier this year. Kelley volunteers as a tournament marshal each year at the tournament in San Diego, where he currently lives. 

As a lifelong lover of golf, Kelley said he was proud to serve his 16th year. “I really enjoy volunteering at the tournament,” he said. 

As Kelley was working on the 12th hole early on the third day of the tournament, he struck up a conversation with Jordan Shelton ’21, a spotter for CBS Sports. As the pair began talking, they realized they shared one huge similarity besides a love of golf.

“Jordan told me he was from Columbus, which was pretty far from here,” said Kelley.  “I told him I went to the University of Dayton and he said that he had just graduated from there in December.”

Shelton agreed, saying it was great to meet a Flyer so far away from Dayton.

As they continued chatting about UD memories and anecdotes, Kelley and Shelton also realized they had graduated from UD exactly 50 years apart. 

“It's amazing that I graduated 50 years ago,” Kelley said. “Time goes by quickly.”

At UD, Kelley studied sociology and met his wife-to-be, Mary Cunniff Kelley ’71, who was studying elementary education. The two were married during their senior year and, after Kelley’s time in Vietnam in the Navy, attended graduate school in Southern Illinois before moving to San Diego. The Kelleys have been there ever since.

Shelton studied sports and wellness in the School of Education and Health Sciences and now works for a sports marketing firm in Columbus, Ohio, which also allows him to work for CBS Sports part time, traveling to golf tournaments. This year, he has worked at six tournaments and was able to return to Dayton to work the First Four at UD Arena.

The two swapped stories about their times at UD, talking about what had changed and the fun times they had. Kelley said it was great to make a connection with a fellow Flyer, especially all the way in California.

“Meeting Dan really reminded me that I will likely meet many great people who went to Dayton everywhere I go because of how well UD alums do after school,” Shelton said.

Have you had a Flyer run-in? Tell us about it! Email us at magazine@udayton.edu.

Photo courtesy of Dan Kelley ”71.