With COVID-19 putting live sporting events on hold, the Cascade Collegiate Conference wanted to take the time to highlight families within our #ThisIsTheCCC community. Many of our member institutions have administration, coaches and student-athletes family members competing together, making the CCC truly a family affair.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – If you have seen an Eastern Oregon University soccer game in the past two years, you’ve probably seen a Mitchell sibling in the midfield at some point.
Natalie Mitchell finished her collegiate career for the Mountaineers’ women’s soccer program in 2018-19, while her twin brother Calvin will finish this upcoming season on the men’s side. Little sister Sarah also has one more year with EOU.
With three Mitchells all becoming Mounties, one might think that was the plan all along for the siblings from Lancaster, Calif., but it wasn’t.
“None of us planned to or even thought about playing soccer at the same college,” said Sarah, who is majoring in business marketing and wants to work for an environmental company after graduation. “The opportunity just ended up presenting itself so we took it!”
For the past two years, the Mitchells have had built in fans at every game since the men’s and women’s soccer teams travel together. While bus rides can be long and boring, Calvin – who is majoring in communications and would like to play professionally before coaching – makes sure they’re not.
“Traveling together is fun because my brother finds ways to make 12 hours in a bus fun,” said Sarah. “I also get to be their No. 1 fan every game!”
Sarah has looked up to her older siblings and been their No. 1 fan since day one.
“It was a great experience playing the same sport as my siblings growing up,” said Sarah. “They always pushed me to reach my highest potential and were a constant motivation as I saw their success in soccer.”