Blue Star Productions

Terri Mitchell

Terri Mitchell graced the Blue Star Basketball Family in 2015 after a tremendous tenure at Marquette that spanned nearly two decades. One of our USA Basketball coaching staff members, she led Marquette through the transition from Conference USA to the Big East and continued to keep the program at the top of the conference.

She was named the head coach in 1996 and the Golden Eagles have thrived under Mitchell, Marquette's all-time basketball wins leader, as she has compiled a 326-204 overall record, 14 trips to the postseason and nine 20-win seasons. Notably, the Golden Eagles have earned post-season berths in10 of the last 11 seasons, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament Second Round (2004, 2007, 2011) and winning the Women's National Invitation Tournament crown in 2008. Since becoming the fourth women's basketball coach in Marquette University history, Mitchell paved a path of excellence. That journey began in her very first year, as Mitchell was at the helm for the largest turnaround in school history. She guided MU to a 21-10 record in 1996-97, which was 13 wins better than the previous season's record of 8-20. It was the largest turnaround of any first-year head coach and third-best single-season turnaround among all NCAA Division I schools that year.

The respect and admiration for the way Terri Mitchell relates to her players and her success in the BIG EAST Conference led to an opportunity with USA Basketball. During the summer of 2008, Mitchell served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball's U18 Women's National Team. Under her guidance, Team USA won the gold medal while rolling through the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina undefeated

Prior to becoming head coach, Mitchell was an assistant for the Golden Eagles for five seasons. She was instrumental in recruiting Marquette's 1996-97 freshman class, which was ranked 12th in the nation by the Blue Star Index. Marquette posted an 87-61 record and made three postseason appearances during Mitchell's tenure as an assistant.

A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Mitchell was a four-year letterwinner and team co-captain at Duquesne University. After an outstanding career with the Dukes, Mitchell graduated Cum Laude with a psychology degree in 1989. She began her coaching career serving as a graduate assistant at Arizona State during the 1989-90 season.

Through her faith, compassion for others, and commitment to service, she has touched the lives of many. For example, in May of 2006 Mitchell took a mission trip to Rwanda where she spent 16 days in the impoverished African country. In November of 2011, Mitchell coached barefoot in support of Soles for Jesus and helping to build awareness for the non-profit organization that provides new and gently used shoes to people in impoverished areas in Africa.

Mitchell believes in giving back to her profession and the community by serving on several Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) committees, the State Farm Wade Trophy Committee, the Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund Board of Directors, and many other service-oriented organizations. Service is not only a significant part of Mitchell's life, but of her team's life as well. The Golden Eagles are involved in many service projects throughout the year including Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, Briggs & Al's Run & Walk, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, the American Heart Association, the WBCA's Pink Zone initiative, school speaking engagements and basketball clinics.

Terri has continued her good works during her time away from the college sideline and presently resides in Wisconsin.