Christy Mitchell - Women's Lacrosse Coach - University of Akron Athletics

Christy Mitchell

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
cmitchell@uakron.edu
Phone:
(330) 972-7578

Press Conference Video | Photo Gallery

Ohio native Christy Mitchell, who has 25 years of lacrosse experience, was named the first Zips’ head women’s lacrosse coach on December 13, 2018.

She will enter her fourth season leading the Zips in 2023.

Mitchell joined UA after six seasons at Walsh University. She pioneered the university's program, guiding Walsh to over 35 wins with players from seven different states. Last season (2018) was Walsh's first in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) where the team showed true potential to be league championship contenders by setting a program record for wins with an 11-7 season (8-4 in G-MAC play) and advancing to the conference semifinals, the second postseason appearance in program history.

An unprecedented nine Cavaliers earned All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference honors in 2018. Junior defender Luisa Landaverde earned first-team honors, while senior midfielder Emma Armour and senior midfielder Sarah McCormick were second-team honorees. Six players were named Honorable Mention. Throughout her collegiate coaching career, Mitchell has guided 12 All-Conference selections and 42 Academic All-Conference honorees.

Mitchell started her coaching career beginning the program at Sylvania High School (1998-00) in 2000. While in Toledo, she helped begin the team at Ursuline High School as well. Mitchell was named the first head coach at Kent Roosevelt High School in 2001 and served there until taking the job at Walsh.

Prior to Walsh University, Mitchell was responsible for initiating six Ohio high school teams and took 18 years of head coaching experience to the collegiate level.

Mitchell taught at Walls Elementary School (2002-05) at the Kent City Schools.

Mitchell has coached the Team Ohio Lacrosse Club (2005-06) and the Ohio Premier Lacrosse Club (2006-08). She was a member of the Ohio All-American Selection Committee (2004-07) and helped select players for the Midwest National Lacrosse Team (2006-2010) and is currently a member of the IWLCA.

As a high school coach, Mitchell had over 20 of her players move on to all college division levels. She has coached three All-Americans, one of whom went on to play for the U.S. Women's Lacrosse developmental team.

Mitchell (nee Lewis) earned a bachelor of science in education from Bowling Green State University in 2000. Additionally, she has obtained over 40 additional college credits. While an undergraduate student, she helped initiate the Club Team at Bowling Green, serving as a mentor and player.

Mitchell and her husband Joshua reside in Stow with their three children: Lucas, Nathan, and Taylor Ruth.

Akron women’s lacrosse began competition in the spring of 2020 and as a member of the ASUN Conference before the Zips were part of the inaugural campaign of Mid-American Conference play in 2021.

THE MITCHELL FILE
Hometown:   Stow, Ohio
Family: husband Joshua, sons– Lucas and Nathan; daughter– Taylor Ruth
Education:
            Bowling Green State University [1997-00]
            B.S. in Education (grades 1-8)

PLAYING CAREER
Hudson High School [1996], lacrosse
Bowling Green State University [1997-00], Club lacrosse

COACHING CAREER
Head Coach, Sylvania High School (Toledo) [1998-00]
Head Coach, Kent Roosevelt High School (Kent) [2001-12]
Head Coach, Walsh University [2013-18]
Head Coach, University of Akron [2018 to present]

COLLEGIATE CAREER RECORD
Season          School              Overall             Notable
2013               Walsh                      2-8            First season for team
2014               Walsh                      6-9
2015               Walsh                    5-11
2016               Walsh                    5-12
2017               Walsh                      8-8
2018               Walsh                    11-7            Advanced to conference semifinal
2020               Akron                      0-7            First Season for Team
2021               Akron                      7-8
2022               Akron                    2-15
Career Totals                           46-85

What They’re Saying About Christy Mitchell . . .

“I want to wish Coach Mitchell the very best as she takes on this new challenge in her career. Christy is a college coach who ‘gets it’. She understands fully that coaching at the collegiate level is about much more than just wins and losses. She is a mentor who develops student-athletes into complete adults, guiding them along their life’s journey. While winning is important to her, and I truly believe she will win, being part of the university community and supporting other university teams and functions is important to her as well.  In Christy Mitchell, you have hired the complete package.”

Dale S. Howard
Vice President/Director of Athletics
Walsh University

“Christy was my first lacrosse coach. She was there from the very start of my playing career. She taught me the basics and quickly helped me grow into a player and leader that could compete at the Division 1 level.  Her mentorship and support went beyond the lacrosse field.  This is ultimately what made her so influential in my life, and what sets her apart as a coach for each team she leads.”

Rachel Stallings
Player at Virginia Tech, 2005-09
U.S. Developmental Team. 2009-10

“Having Coach Mitchell as my coach for the past 3 1/2 years has been one of the biggest privileges of my life. She has not only been a great lacrosse coach but an even better mentor towards me and my teammates. She has helped shape me into a better lacrosse player, person, and leader - which I will be forever grateful for. She has given me the confidence to be the best person I can be on and off the field. I wish her the best in her new adventure of becoming head coach at the University of Akron. Anyone who knows her will find a friend in her. Her future players are lucky to have her.”

Jenny Spragg
Walsh University
Senior/Team Captain