Women's Lacrosse
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- kmp208@lehigh.edu
- Phone:
- 610-758-4465
- Alma Mater:
- Fourth Season
Kelley Putnam Necioglu (Neh-jee-OH-loo) begins her fourth season on the Lehigh women’s lacrosse coaching staff as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. In her time, she has helped lead the Mountain Hawks’ to three Patriot League Tournament appearances, winning 10 or more games each season.
Putnam came to Lehigh following a two-year stint as a Teach for America Corps member where she was part of a nationwide movement to increase educational equity by teaching in an underprivileged school district. Putnam enjoyed a very successful playing career at Johns Hopkins where she was a four year starter, served as captain during her senior year and captured the program’s Rookie of the Year honor as a freshman.
“I’m thrilled to be at Lehigh and to have the opportunity to work with the young women on this team,” explained Putnam. “I think this is a great fit because I understand the pressures and rewards of being a student athlete at the Division I level at an academically challenging school like Lehigh.”
“Kelley is a product of two nationally recognized lacrosse programs,” said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. “Her enthusiasm, leadership and teaching ability make her a great fit for our program.”
While at Johns Hopkins, Putnam was selected to participate in the NCAA Division I North-South All-Star Game in 2006 after a career in which she started all four years and served as captain during her senior season. The program’s Rookie of the Year in 2003, Putnam helped lead Johns Hopkins to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2004, and a repeat appearance in 2005. The Blue Jays were nationally ranked in all four of Putnam’s years, topping out with a number-two ranking in 2002.
A native of New Jersey, Putnam attended Moorestown High School where she was a two time All-American and garnered First-Team All-State accolades in 2002. Putnam was also All-State in soccer, while playing basketball as well.
Putnam graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2006 with degrees in political science and Spanish. She was a member of the Dean’s List as well as the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll and the All-American Lacrosse Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Kelly and her husband, Ali Kemal, live in the Lehigh Valley with their dogs, Pasa and Zuna.
