College Athlete of the Month: Kelly Boeke

Amara Aguilar

Kelly Boeke may not be the fastest player on the Vanguard

University women’s basketball team, but they don’t call her “Flash” for

nothing.

The 6-foot-1 senior center has rapidly risen to the top of her game.

In the Lions’ 116-54 victory against Cal State Monterey Bay on Nov. 9,

Boeke broke Vangaurd’s career scoring record previously held by Elaine

Whittemore (1,235 points).

“I am very honored to have been able to break the record,” Boeke said.

“The girl’s record I broke -- she was a basketball icon at our school.

Her jersey is hanging on our (gymnasium) wall, so being in that category

is unbelievable.”

As of Sunday, Boeke had amassed 1,287 career points and 848 rebounds.

She scored a career-high 24 points Saturday in the Lions’ 77-58 loss to

Cal State Stanislaus in the Sunbird Thanksgiving Classic at Fresno

Pacific University.

Although Boeke’s accomplishments are impressive, her nickname “Flash”

does not refer to a showy style of play. Boeke just isn’t that type of

player. Rather, it refers to quickness -- or lack of it.

“I decided to make up a nickname in practice just as a joke because I

am not the fastest player out there, obviously,” Boeke said. “I’m a post

and posts are already slow as it is and I’m extra slow on top of that, so

it was a joke that I named myself Flash.”

It is no joke that Boeke is not exactly quick on her feet. While her

size does contribute to that, there is another factor that comes into

play.”I have a bad ankle,” Boeke said. “I was born with my ankle bones

fused together. I try not to let it affect me as much as possible.”

Boeke’s condition limits her right ankle’s range of motion, however

she emphasized it is not something she considers a hindrance to her

performance on the basketball court.

“I kind of look funny when I run because it’s a kind of limp run

because I can’t bend my ankle all the way,” she said. “I’ve dealt with it

my whole life. It’s nothing I’m going to use as an excuse.”

Although Boeke could have surgery on her ankle, she has chosen not to,

since it would take her away from basketball for an entire season.

She has been playing the game since she was in seventh grade. Her

father noticed Boeke, who at the time was already 5-8, was taller than

everyone in her class and thought it would be a good idea to get her into

basketball.

“The people that pushed me the most were my dad and my mom,” Boeke

said. “My dad would be the one who made sure I was shooting every day and

would work with me outside practice. My mom and dad come to all of my

games. They give me the most support ever.”

Boeke continued to play basketball through high school at Fountain

Valley. Although she enjoyed playing basketball, Boeke was not sure if

she wanted to continue to compete in college.

She didn’t make up her mind until the opportunity to play basketball

at Vangaurd became available. Once she visited the campus, saw the

women’s basketball team practicing and met the coach, she knew exactly

what she was going to do.

“God just opened the door and it was great,” Boeke said. “This was

just dropped in my hands. The coaching staff just brought me here and I

love this school. There’s no other place I could see myself going.”

Boeke has a special appreciation for the chance to play college

basketball, since it is an opportunity her mother did not have growing

up.

“My mom played basketball back in the days,” Boeke said. “She has a

love for basketball. They didn’t offer opportunities for women’s college

athletics as they do now. So my mom just played in high school. I feel

really fortunate to even be able to play basketball, especially close to

home.”

Boeke’s parents live just seven minutes away from campus, so she often

takes her teammates to her parents’ home for dinner. In her spare time,

Boeke, an English major, also likes reading. In addition, she enjoys

listening to music and going to concerts.

Her favorite group is the Backstreet Boys and she is a very loyal fan.

Don’t even mention NSYNC or she’ll cringe.

“I like the Backstreet Boys,” Boeke said. “I’ve been to two of their

concerts. People make fun of me for that, but I don’t care. I still like

them.”

Boeke’s carefree attitude is also reflected in her choice of clothing.

She dresses differently than many of her peers. Her wardrobe has color --

a lot of it.

“I just like loud colors, stuff that average people wouldn’t wear,”

Boeke said. “I like bright colors. I have neon green Adidas pants and

neon yellow shorts and different stuff like that.”

Some people may not admire the “flashy” clothes Boeke wears off the

court, but she is definitely recognized for her performance on the court.

“She leads by example on the court and by her willingness to work hard

all the time, even through pain,” Vanguard teammate Courtney McKinney

said. “She is a great leader on and off the court.”