Hall of Fame
James “Mitch” Mitchell was one of the most influential and successful cross country and track coaches in the state. Known for his unique ability to create a sense of “team” in individual sports, Coach Mitchell began his career teaching and coaching track at Cathedral Prep in Queens in 1967. From there, he moved on to Fordham University in 1973 as Assistant Track Coach then five years later started teaching Latin at Bronxville in March of 1978. He additionally took on coaching duties in JV soccer, basketball and girls outdoor track, then eventually became the founder of the first girls outdoor track team in 1979. In 1981, he formed the first girls cross country team at the school and since then it has been nothing but success for his programs and its athletes.
A graduate of Regis High School in Manhattan, “Mitch” led the girls cross country teams to 11 NYSPHSAA State Championships and 26 Section I titles. In girls indoor track his teams won 27 Section I titles and in girls outdoor track his teams captured 31 Section I crowns. Individually, he’s seen 170 of his athletes garner All-American certificates and many more earn full scholarships to compete collegiately.
Coach Mitchell was the first high school coach to be inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame at the New Balance Track and Field Center in Manhattan in 2007 and in 2012 was chosen as the National Indoor Track Coach of the Year.
Prior to his career as a teacher and coach, Jim earned a BA and MA in Classical Languages from Fordham University.