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A coach's sole

By Jessie Bazan, Comm '14 | Photo by Maggie Casey

Fans of the Marquette women's basketball team probably did a double-take when they saw head coach Terri Mitchell pad onto the floor of the Bradley Center for a recent game. Mitchell, the winningest coach in university history, went barefoot during the Nov. 19 game against Georgia Tech in support of Soles for Jesus, a Milwaukee-based organization that donates shoes to the needy in Africa.

"When the ball went up in the air, I forgot about it," says Mitchell, whose concentration by tipoff was completely on the game. Her players, while equally as focused on the basketball action, did take a minute to appreciate their coach's bare feet.

"The only comment they made was that my toenails were polished nicely," Mitchell laughs.  

On and off the court, Mitchell and her players are vigorous supporters of Soles for Jesus. Since meeting Diane Studer, the executive director, two years ago, Mitchell has volunteered at the warehouse in downtown Milwaukee and encourages her players to be "mouthpieces" for the organization. This year, the team is hosting a shoe drive at the Al McGuire Center, where fans can join in the cause by bringing in shoes to donate throughout the season. Mitchell's own shoelessness during the Georgia Tech game was her personal way of kicking off the campaign.

"If we're talking about those who go without, then I wanted to demonstrate for a game what it would be like to not have shoes," Mitchell explains. "It was, for me, just a demonstration of letting others know that it's time for us to give."

For Mitchell, this simple gesture was about more than raising awareness for a great cause — it was about fulfilling one of Marquette's core values. Service is a staple for Mitchell and her team, and the Golden Eagles take part in a variety of community service projects every year, including the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Pink Zone initiative and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Mitchell also serves on the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Board of Directors.

"I believe sports is a big platform for good," says Mitchell. "Whenever coaching comes to an end, a long time down the road, I want to be known more for using basketball for good versus just being a woman who's all about wins. I mean, I want to win and I want to do great things for the university, but at the same time, I want to know that I took this opportunity God has given me and used it for as much good as possible."