By Alexandra Harper 
Kelly Berger is a former American lacrosse player who made a name for herself through her talent, dedication and achievements in women’s sport. While many people recognise her name because of her previous marriage to professional lacrosse star Paul Rabil, her story goes well beyond her relationship with him.
From her early days playing lacrosse in Maryland to representing the United States on the international stage, Kelly has enjoyed a successful sporting career. She also earned recognition for her performances at James Madison University, where she became one of the team’s standout players.
Although she has kept much of her personal life away from public attention, her connection to Paul Rabil continues to attract interest. So, who is Kelly Berger, and what do we know about her life, career and relationship history?
Who Is Kelly Berger?
Kelly Berger is a former American women’s lacrosse player best known for her achievements at university and international level. She grew up in Columbia, Maryland, where she attended Hammond High School and developed her interest in sport.
Lacrosse became an important part of her life from an early age. Alongside her sporting commitments, Kelly also played basketball and football at school and took part in dance activities.
Her ability and commitment helped her stand out as a young athlete. She received several school-level honours and became known for her performances on the lacrosse field.
Kelly later attended James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, where she studied kinesiology with a concentration in sports management and a minor in business. Her time at university played an important role in shaping her sporting career.
Kelly Berger’s Lacrosse Career at James Madison University
Kelly joined the James Madison Dukes women’s lacrosse team in 2004. She quickly showed that she had the ability to compete at a high level and became an important member of the squad.
During her first season, she finished third on the team for goals and points. Her performances earned her the team’s Rookie of the Year award, giving her a strong start to her university career.
However, her best performances were still to come.
In 2006, Kelly enjoyed an outstanding season and was named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year. She also received First Team All-American honours and helped James Madison achieve important success in the competition.
She continued to impress during her final year in 2007, earning further recognition for her performances. By the time she completed her university career, she had become one of the most successful players in the programme’s history.
Across 73 games for James Madison, Kelly recorded 184 goals and 78 assists, giving her 262 points. These figures placed her second in the university’s history for career goals and total points.
Her achievements were recognised again in 2017 when she was inducted into the James Madison University Athletics Hall of Fame. It was an important moment that celebrated her contribution to the university’s sporting history.
Representing the United States in Women’s Lacrosse
Kelly’s success was not limited to university competitions. She also represented the United States in international women’s lacrosse.
She became involved with the US national programme during her university years and earned places on developmental and elite teams. Her performances eventually helped her secure opportunities with the senior national squad.
One of the major highlights of her international career came in 2009, when she won a world championship with the United States.
She continued to represent her country in the years that followed. In 2016, she was named among the players selected for a US Women’s National Team foreign tour to England. The following year, she earned a place on the 2017 US Women’s National Team roster.
Being selected for the national team was another significant achievement in a career built on years of hard work and commitment.
Who Is Paul Rabil?
Paul Rabil is a well-known American professional lacrosse player and one of the sport’s most recognised figures. Born on 14 December 1985, he played college lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University before building a successful professional career.
He became known for his exceptional playing ability, scoring record and influence on the development of professional lacrosse.
Paul played for several professional teams and won multiple individual awards during his career. He also co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in 2019, helping to create new opportunities for professional players and increase the sport’s visibility.
His achievements have made him an important figure in American lacrosse. However, his professional success is also why his past relationship with Kelly Berger has attracted public interest.
Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil’s Marriage
Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil shared a connection through lacrosse, a sport that played a major role in both their lives. Their shared interest in athletics gave them something important in common.
The couple married in January 2014. At the time, both had established themselves in the lacrosse world, although their careers followed different paths within the sport.
Their marriage brought two people from the same sporting community together. Paul was building his profile as a professional lacrosse player, while Kelly had already achieved considerable success as a former university athlete and US national team player.
However, their relationship did not last. The couple divorced in 2017 after approximately three years of marriage.
Despite the public interest surrounding their relationship, neither has shared extensive details about the reasons behind their separation. As a result, it is best not to make assumptions about what happened between them.
Why Did Kelly Berger and Paul Rabil Divorce?
One question that often comes up when people search for Kelly Berger is why her marriage to Paul Rabil ended.
However, there is limited confirmed public information about the circumstances surrounding their divorce. Neither Kelly nor Paul has publicly provided a detailed explanation that establishes the reasons for their separation.
Like many people who experience the end of a marriage, they have largely kept this part of their lives private.
It is important to respect that privacy rather than rely on rumours or speculation. What is publicly known is that their marriage ended in 2017 and both have continued with their lives and individual journeys.
What Does Kelly Berger Do Now?
Kelly has maintained a relatively private public profile, particularly compared with her former husband. This means there is limited reliable information about her current professional activities and personal circumstances.
However, her interests have extended beyond playing competitive lacrosse. After graduating from James Madison University, she also began working as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 2007.
Her background in kinesiology and sports management also reflects her wider business activities, physical activity and athletic development.
Over the years, her name has been associated with fitness and other personal interests. However, without recent, reliable confirmation, it would be unfair to make definite claims about her current job or business activities.
Kelly Berger’s Life Beyond Her Marriage
It is easy to see why Kelly Berger attracts attention because of her previous relationship with Paul Rabil. However, defining her only as a professional athlete’s former wife overlooks her own achievements.
She built a successful university lacrosse career, earned All-American recognition, represented the United States and received a place in the James Madison University Athletics Hall of Fame.
These accomplishments reflect years of dedication to a sport that demands skill, discipline and teamwork.
Although she has chosen to keep much of her personal life private, her sporting achievements remain part of her public story.
Kelly Berger’s journey is a reminder that there is often much more to a person’s life than the relationship that brings them public attention. Her identity as an athlete and her contribution to women’s lacrosse deserve recognition in their own right.