Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics

A Mountain View High School graduate, Mitchell led Southwestern rodeo teams to six national team titles and 30 Central Plains Regional titles. He became coach of the rodeo teams in 1967 and held that position until his retirement in 2000. He became chairman of the school’s Technology Department in 1980 and served in that capacity until 2000. SWOSU won men’s team titles in 1985, 1992, 1993, 1999 and women’s team titles in 1988 and 1994. Many SWOSU rodeo athletes went on to successfully professional careers as rodeo competitors, judges or coaches.