University of Tennessee Athletics
Mitchell Makes Impact With Vols
September 10, 2003 | Football
Sept. 10, 2003
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| James Mitchell |
James Mitchell can't just glance at the Neyland Stadium scoreboard late on a Saturday afternoon to find out how his players are doing.
The results that concern the new Tennessee football team chaplain most won't ceaselessly crawl across the bottom of the TV screen during ESPN's SportsCenter, nor will they be the subject of breathless speculation in a chat room on a Vols' football fan Web site.
But perhaps years from now, while sipping a chilled glass of his beloved sweet tea with his wife at home after a mundane workday, the phone will ring. Mitchell will hear a distant, yet vaguely familiar voice on the other end.
"James, I didn't even realize it at the time, but you helped me."
And a feeling will wash over Mitchell that couldn't even be matched by bringing this year's Sugar Bowl trophy back to Rocky Top.
No sermons
Employed by Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mitchell's ministry is serving the Vols. But he didn't come here to preach.
"Just be available," Mitchell said in describing his time with the players. "Don't push anything. It's not a Bible-beating type thing. Just helping them think through some things and have some control in their lives."
Few can imagine a more seemingly glorious existence than that of a college football player at a perennial contender in one of America's power conferences. Throngs of cheering fans. Autograph sessions. Mel Kiper Jr. proclaiming your NFL-worthiness to the world. But players don't get a free pass from reality.
" They have problems no different than you and me have in life," Mitchell said. "I try to help give some direction so that they can make better decisions when they become fathers and husbands one day. I try to keep them focused as far as school and athletics. This is a unique opportunity they have, being in college and getting an education. This is not just for right now, this is for down the road."
Mitchell, a former football player at Central Arkansas and an assistant coach for 14 seasons, served as team chaplain with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Based in Seattle the past five years, Mitchell worked with numerous professional teams. Those experiences taught him that effective ministry often requires little speaking.
"I have a heart for the coaches and players," he said. "I've sat where they sit and kind of know what they go through. Sometimes, they just need someone to listen, not necessarily to give them an answer, but just to listen."
Staying visible
He doesn't wear a whistle, but Mitchell's white baseball cap and periodic eruptions of barrel-chested laughter have become a regular presence at each Vols' practice.
"I'll show up every day at 6 a.m. and go to that morning workout," Mitchell said. "You've got to show the players that you've got a commitment to them. This time next year, those relationships will be a lot stronger."
Offensive tackle Michael Munoz said Mitchell's been an instant hit.
"He's a real personable guy and he's going to do a great job," Munoz said. "We're out here two times a day, working on the physical aspect of the game and we're in the building six hours a day watching films and working on the mental aspects. I definitely believe that there's also a spiritual side to the game. We each have to be a complete person and that's really important. It also increases team unity when we get guys coming together in that kind of way."
And Mitchell, a Mississippi native, is thrilled to be back in college football in the South.
" I'm blessed to have this opportunity to be involved in young men's lives," he said. "Not necessarily to make them great football players, but to make them great fathers and husbands one day. That's my ultimate goal."
Larry Happell
