Aug 20, 2013

BALTIMORE, MD - Johns Hopkins University Director of Athletics Tom Calder announced two major changes within the Blue Jays Unlimited organization moving into the 2013-2014 year. Grant Kelly, an eight-year veteran of Johns Hopkins Athletics, was recently named Director of Development for Athletics, while Blue Jays Unlimited, the official fundraising arm for Hopkins Athletics, moved its physical offices from the University's central development hub to the Newton White Athletic Center.

Kelly joined the Blue Jays Unlimited team in 2006 as the Development Coordinator. Since then he has been promoted three times and will now lead the organization. "This is a dream come true - Johns Hopkins Athletics means a great deal to me and my family," Kelly noted. "The opportunity to lead this great fundraising organization is a true honor," he added.

Kelly raised over $2.6 million for Johns Hopkins Athletics this past year, efforts which included the completion of the Baseball and Football Capital Projects and Track and Volleyball Locker Room Renovation Projects. "We have needed major improvements to our facilities for some time now. It was exciting to play a large part in making these changes become a reality," Kelly added.

Kelly succeeds Chris Dax, who led the organization since his arrival at Johns Hopkins in 2005. During his tenure, Dax took athletics fundraising to a new level at Johns Hopkins; most notably closing out a $10 million campaign to build the Cordish Lacrosse Center. Dax will continue to lead the Johns Hopkins University Office of Annual Giving.

Kelly takes control of Blue Jays Unlimited as the organization settles into its first full year in its offices in the Newton White Athletic Center. When the Cordish Lacrosse Center opened its doors last fall there was some relocation of existing office space in the White Center and Blue Jays Unlimited inherits the old assistant football coaching suite, which is located on the lower level of the Athletic Center.

"In the short time we have been in our new offices we have established a greater working relationship with our coaches and staff," Kelly stated. "This new space also serves as a great venue to host alumni, parents and friends when they are on campus."

Since its establishment in 1995, Blue Jays Unlimited has raised more than $25 million for the Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics. Kelly will build on the relationships he has established over the last eight years to continue growing the fundraising efforts for the department. A lengthy list of initiatives for the coming year has already been established and includes renovation of the current baseball and tennis facilities and Goldfarb Gymnasium, while also addressing the ongoing needs of Johns Hopkins' 24 varsity athletic programs.

For more information about Blue Jays Unlimited visit www.hopkinssports.com/bluejaysunlimited, call (410) 516-6132 or email bju@jhu.edu.

- 30 -