Chris Mitchell enters his ninth year in the sports information office at Washington University in St. Louis, and his sixth as the Bears' Director of Sports Information.

Mitchell's duties include handling the publicity of Washington University's 19 athletic programs, serving as the primary contact for football, women's golf, women's soccer, men's basketball, softball and men's tennis.

Mitchell also has assisted the University with other projects, such as Steve Fossett's 2001 Balloon Flight, 2004 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, 2004 Presidential Debate, and the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate.

He also served as the Media coordinator for the 2007 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championships and assisted with media relations efforts for the 17th Annual College Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championships.

Mitchell served as the assistant sports information director from 2001-03 at Washington University prior to his promotion. Mitchell also had a stint as a Staff Assistant in the Duke University Sports Information office from July of 2000 to May of 2001. He was the primary contact for women's soccer, field hockey, cross-country, swimming and diving, fencing and track and field.

A native of Granite City, Ill., Mitchell graduated from McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. in 1999 with a degree in speech communication. While at McKendree, Mitchell served as a student assistant for one year and then returned as the Assistant SID the following year. He was also a four-year captain of the men's tennis team, which qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1999.

Mitchell earned his master's degree in in athletic administration from William Woods University in 2008.

Mitchell, 32, is a member of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and served as the chair of the Membership Services Committee from 2007-09. He also serves on the 2009 Bob Cousy Award Division III Sub-Committee and the 2008-09 Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four Public Relations Committee.

Mitchell is married to the former Mary Ann Tierney, sports information director at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Quick Facts About Mitchell

Years at WU: Eight

Previous Sports Information Experience:
2000-01: Staff Assistant in Sports Information at Duke University.
1999-2000: Assistant Sports Information Director at McKendree University.

College Education:
Bachelor's degree in speech communication with an emphasis in public relations from McKendree University, 1999. Master's degree in athletic administration from William Woods University, 2008.

Playing Career:
Competed four years on the men's tennis team at McKendree University; Served as a four-year team captain; Team won the Midwest Region championship and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1999.

Volunteer:
2009: Bob Cousy Award Division III Sub-Committee
2008-09: Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four Public Relations Committee
2008: Vice-Presidential Debate Public Relations Staff
2007-09: CoSIDA Membership Services Chairperson
2005-09: CoSIDA Membership Services Committee
2005: NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four
2005: Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament
2004: Presidential Debate Public Relations Staff
2004: NCAA Divison I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional
2003-05: St. Louis Rams Game Day Media Relations Staff
2000, 2003-07: Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament
1999, 2003-06: Shop-N-Save/Coca Cola Basketball Shootout Press Conference Coordinator
2001: NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional Official Statistician
2001: ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament Official Statistician
2001: Duke Women’s Celebration Committee Member
2000: Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championship
2000: NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship Official Statistician
2000: NAIA Wrestling National Championship

Family:
Married to the former Mary Ann Tierney, sports information director at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Sister, Kelly, is assistant athletic trainer at Washington University.