Two members of the Holy Cross football team were named to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA)'s 2024 Academic All-Star Team, as announced this week.

Fifth-year center Christo Kelly and senior linebacker Frankie Monte were both honored as two of 54 total selections on the team nationwide. 

A 2024 All-Patriot League first team and All-ECAC selection, Kelly started all 12 games at center for the Crusaders this year. Holy Cross' offensive line helped Holy Cross average 27.6 points per contest this season and allowed just 13 sacks on the year. Kelly was also one of 22 finalists across all of college football for the 2024 AFCA Good Works Team. An economics major, Kelly is a four-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection, a two-time Academic All-District honoree and earned Academic All-Patriot League honors earlier this season. 

Monte was an All-Patriot League first team selection and All-New England honoree, ranking in the top 10 nationally during the regular season in total tackles (119) and fumble recoveries (3). A team captain, Monte also paced the strong Crusader defense with 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He was an Academic All-Patriot League honoree in 2024, and was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll twice in his career. 

Football players from all FCS institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate or graduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.

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