Starting in 2003, the Nancy Kelly Academic Scholarship has been awarded to a two-year softball player and one that meets the qualifications to transfer to a four-year university. The scholarship, designed to pay for books, awards the recipient $400 twice annually for the two years they are attending a four-year university.

From 1976 until 1998, Nancy Kelly was the face of the Cerritos College softball program. During her tenure with the Falcon program, Kelly, who passed away in 2014, put together a record of 502-320-1, which included 15 Southern California Regional Playoff appearances, five South Coast Conference championships, a state championship in 1978, as well as second place finishes in the Southwest AIAW and National AIAW tournaments in 1977. For her efforts and contributions to the program and institution itself, the college named the field in Kelly's honor on February 22, 2001 in a special ceremony.

For the 2017 season, sophomore Kylee Brown (Mayfair HS) has been named the recipient. During the season, Brown was foced to play three different infield positions and concluded the season as the team's starting shortstop. She didn't let any of that slow her down at the plate, as she concluded the season batting .416 with 12 doubles, 17 home runs, 65 RBI, 20 walks and an .891 slugging percentage. She was named All-Southern California, as well as 1st Team All-South Coast Conference.

The Falcons (28-15) were seeded #7 for the Southern California Regional Playoffs and advanced to the Super Regional for the ninth time in the last 11 years after eliminating Citrus College in the first round.

"I am so happy the winner of the Nancy Kelly Scholarship award is Kylee Brown," said head coach Kodee Murray, who has coached each of the recipients. "She represents everything Coach Kelly stood for when she created this award. Loyalty, the love of softball and a true student-athlete."

Brown, who has already signed a scholarship with Arizona Christian University, concluded her career tied for second in home runs (24), third in RBI (101), and is the seventh person in the last five seasons to bat over .400 for a season. Her 17 home runs are tied for the second most in a season in school history, while her 65 RBI were the third most in a season.

"Kylee has been selfless while playing softball at Cerritos," added Murray. "She was always looking for a way to help her team before herself. One reason for our success this year was the great leadership that Kylee Brown showed during our season."

Previous Nancy Kelly Scholarship recipients:

2003 - Michelle Santillian
2004 - Manisha Vadgama
2005 - Nicole Deel
2006 - Mayra Oliden
2007 - Manisha Vadgama
2008 - Katie Colln & Jenel Guadagno
2009 - Desiree Miera
2010 - Hillary Perez-Ashley & Lindsey Marquez
2011 - Jessica Lozano
2012 - Alexxa Sanabria & Maita Tallakson
2013 - Kayla Klein & Lily Cornejo
2014 - Jamie Ramirez & Arianna Hernandez
2015 - Joanna Perruccio
2016 - Jenny Navarro