Acton Boxborough Colonial Club
Jay Close
This Pop Warner legend lived up to his billing as one of the top all-around and most productive athlete in AB Football annals. The football program was blessed when Jay chose the grid over the soccer pitch where he was also a gifted athlete. Jay was a four-year varsity starter at running back, with perhaps his most famous points coming on the two point blast conversion that upset the Westford Greyghost in 1993 setting the stage for Acton-Boxboro's historic football run.
AB's little big man was also an outstanding lacrosse player and basketball defensive ace. But it was at then "Colonial Field," where Jay inspired his teammates and antagonized his opposition. His low center of gravity, keen field vision, and dogged determination helped Jay to become one of the most prolific running backs in Massachusetts. This two-year captain rarely came off the field - as kicker, kick returner, punt returner, running back and corner back. The number 1 placekicker in AB history, Jay led Massachusetts in total points his junior season. He also made famous, the pooch cross kick. Jay could drop this kick on a dime, leading to numerous recoveries on on-side kick attempts. This junior season, Jay was a DCL All-star, a Lowell Sun All-star and "Co-player of the year" and a Boston Globe and Boston Herald "All-scholastic. His senior year, Jay was robbed for half the season by a knee injury. Much to his teammates delight, Jay returned for the Thanksgiving Day Game and Super bowl where he scored four touchdowns. Despite missing half the season, Jay was chosen to play in the Shriners All-star Game.
Jay brought his talents to friendly Fitton Field and became a Holy Cross Crusader where he played slot receiver for two years until a nagging injury forced his early resignation.
Never one to sit still, Jay Close has been an active volunteer among other things in AB Pop Warner Football, volunteering
in South American and working for the Appalachian Mountain Club on a trail crew. His hobbies include kite-boarding, hiking, skiing and running multiple marathons, including Boston in 2010. Jay works in the financial services industries for Arrow Street Capital where he is a portfolio manager. Jay resides in Westwood with his wife Christina (AB '95) and in June of last year, welcomed their first child Juliana. Jay's two favorite AB moments was snapping a powerful North Middlesex 26 game winning streak and playing on the 1994 Undefeated Super bowl Champion team.