SUNYAC to Honor Bill Mitchell with Retiree Award after 39 years at Potsdam
The SUNYAC will present Potdam's Bill Mitchell with its Retiree Award in June at the league's annual Awards Banquet. This award is presented to personnel of full member institutions or the conference office with a minimum of 15 years of service within the conference.
Potsdam Athletics administrator and former men's basketball coach Bill Mitchell retires after 39 years at the college.
"Bill's departure is going to leave an unfillable void in our department," said Potsdam Director of Athletics Mark Misiak. "He's a Potsdam Bears legend. Though he's been an incredible mentor and colleague, I count myself very fortunate to call "Mitch" my friend. I'm very excited for him, his wife Niki and their three children, but that doesn't change the fact I'm going to miss being around and seeing him every day."
A University of Michigan graduate and Toledo, Ohio native, Mitchell began his athletics career with the Wolverines. "Mitch" was on staff for two successful seasons as a graduate assistant basketball coach, with the Maize and Blue winning the 1984 NIT Championship and being crowned 1985 Big Ten champions.
He made the move from Ann Arbor to Potsdam when he was hired by Bears legend Jerry Welsh as an assistant coach prior to the 1985-86 season. That year, Welsh, Mitchell and Potsdam Hall of Famer Stan Cohen guided the program to a 32-0 season and its second national championship. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Bears, helping them reach the SUNYAC Championship and NCAA Tournament five times, winning two conference titles. The Bears also won an NCAA Division III record 60 games in a row from 1985-87.
When Welsh accepted the coaching position at Division I Iona College after the 1990-91 season, Mitchell was named the eighth head coach in Potsdam men's basketball history. In 12 seasons, he guided the Bears to eight postseason appearances and a regular season title in 2002-03. Mitchell's 145 wins are second only Welsh in program history. As head coach, he had 18 All-SUNYAC players, including two Rookies of the Year. During his coaching tenure, Mitchell directed the popular Potsdam Bears Summer Basketball Camp; started the Can-AM Hoops Classic basketball tournaments; and conducted the Annual Fall Basketball Coaching Clinic. He is most proud of the successful families and careers that his former players have enjoyed since their graduation from SUNY Potsdam.
Three-time All-SUNYAC selection and the program's 13th place scorer, Jason Lang '01 is still close to his former coach and has many great memories.
"Coach Mitchell was more than a coach for me when I was a student-athlete, and even today," said Lang. "He was a mentor, someone I could confide in to discuss just about anything. But to be specific, discussions on how to be a leader by example, leadership communication techniques, time management of a student-athlete and the importance of setting realistic goals within sport and academics. He helped to make sure we were becoming responsible young men . . . His kids were the ball boys of my team. I can say that watching him manage being a full-time coach, the daily details of college student-athletes, and his family, I picked up a few gems that I apply today in my household . . . Mitch also gave me an opportunity to be a collegiate athlete, utilizing a keen sense in recruiting. I was not the prototypical recruit. I began playing basketball my sophomore year of high school and was a late bloomer . . . The bottom line is he respected the work ethic and invested the time to recruit me. This investment in turn made me believe in him as a coach and I tried my best to give 100 percent over the course of my four years at the school . . . I graduated in 2001 and there is not a week that goes by without me checking in on him and vice versa. That's a special bond!"
Following the 2002-03 season, Mitchell ascended to become Potsdam's assistant athletic director. In the 21 years since, he has served the department in numerous ways. Mitchell has handled game scheduling and team transportation; created the "Bears Mean Business" advertising and sponsorship program; managed campus club sports and served as director of NCAA compliance. He's also been a member of and chairperson of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee for numerous years, inducting many Bears greats and serving as emcee at the induction ceremony.
"Of all the places I could have started my coaching career, I'm forever grateful that somehow, I landed at SUNY Potsdam," said Mitchell. "And of all the people I could have chosen as a mentor and friend, I was blessed to learn from one of the best in business at any level working with Coach Jerry Welsh. The life lessons and wisdom he always shared while at his side was an education I could not have gained anywhere else."
Mitchell is looking forward to retirement.
"I'm excited about spending more time with my wife Nicole and seeing where our adventures take us. Being there for my family right now is at the top of my list. I will really miss Maxcy Hall. It has been my home away from home for the past 39 years. But more than anything, I will miss working with so many great people that make SUNY Potsdam a very special place."
Mitchell will step into retirement this summer after wrapping up his duties for the year.
