The Barometer Online

Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Wick

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Sophomore safety Lance Mitchell is one of the standout defensive players for the Beavers this season. He's totaled two interceptions, 28.5 tackles, and five breakups in seven games. Mitchell was born and raised in Pasadena, Calif., where he avoided a life of gangs and violence and focused on sports.

By Maria Bruggere

The Daily Barometer

At 20 years old, there are certain things you wouldn't expect a young man to understand - poise, life experiences, determination.

These are the qualities of sophomore safety Lance Mitchell.

Compared to many people who live in the small rural town of Corvallis, Mitchell didn't have the common upbringing you might expect. Born and raised in Pasadena, Calif., he was constantly tempted by the pressure of violence and gangs.

"I feel like I grew up fast," Mitchell said. "I had a lot of stuff that I went through that helped me understand life."

Mitchell's parents are divorced and his father remarried. He has one full sister, two half-sisters and a step-brother. Mitchell's step-brother passed away from cancer in 2005. For most of his growing up, Mitchell lived with his mom who worked late nights but still kept him in line.

"She worked, kept us in line and out of trouble," Mitchell said. "I just remember her working a lot, but she would always give us stuff to do at home. She was strict about housework and homework and stuff."

Mitchell's parents and friends sheltered him from the gang violence and didn't let him get into trouble because they saw his potential and didn't want him to get caught up in a life of crime.

"Where I come from, you play sports or you're a gang member," Mitchell said. "Everyone wants to be cool and to be in the "in" crowd. Those are the in crowds."

You could say Mitchell is smart, but he won't take all the credit.

"I can't take all the credit, you know, because it was my friends and family that kept me out of trouble," Mitchell said. "They helped me; I didn't do it on my own. Growing up a lot of my friends and family were in gangs, and they still are."

There was always temptation to go the bad route. His friends were out getting into trouble and going to jail. But as he spoke about his experiences growing up, there was a certain amount of grace and poise put into the words he chose. He can put all of this in perspective.

"When I was 16 my brother passed away, and it really made me realize things about life," Mitchell said. "You could say I grew up faster than other kids my age because of what I saw my brother go through. As a teenager, you think you're unbreakable, that nothing can touch you and no one can hurt you. After I watched my brother go through chemo and all the pain, I didn't feel unbreakable anymore."

Mitchell's roomate of three years can agree.

"Lance, man, he's a good friend," sophomore cornerback David Ross said. "He's there for me if I have a problem because we live together, and that's really nice to have."

His parents did a good job of keeping him in line because here he is now - starting at safety for the Beavers. His strict mother and his dad have definitely been role models.

"My dad is one of my heroes," Mitchell said. "He is just real mellow, like the same all the time. He doesn't have real highs or lows. He never loses his cool. For instance, when my brother died, it was a hard time like it would be for anybody, but he was really the one that was strong for everybody. That's what I always thought that's how a man is supposed to act. I definitely look up to him."

On the field, Mitchell somewhat resembles a lion in the defensive lineup, trying to stay as calm as possible until lightning strikes or the quarterback makes a bad pass.

"Everything is bottled in until you're on the field and you try not to do anything," Mitchell said. "You try not to let it go until you're out there."

However, Mitchell says he doesn't have a problem getting focused before a game. Visualization and getting the idea of making plays into your head is what's important.

"I think it's natural thinking about a game before you play it," Mitchell said. "I always try to do that. It's like getting ready for a test. You have to prepare."

Mitchell has proven himself as one of the major factors in the Beaver defense this season. With 28.5 total tackles and 21 solo, he has the third most overall tackles for Oregon State just behind senior linebacker Keaton Kristick and sophomore safety Cameron Collins. Mitchell also leads the team with two interceptions in the last seven games, one of which came off of USC quarterback Matt Barkely last weekend at the Coliseum.

"He's a ball hog," Ross said. "He's always trying to get up in the air to get those interceptions."

"Lance works hard for those INTs," junior cornerback James Dockery said. "Don't get me wrong, Lance works very hard and he's good at what he does."

Ball hog or not, Mitchell says there is nothing better than the feeling he gets right before the team runs out on the field before a home game.

"It's hard to explain the feeling of getting ready for a game," Mitchell said. "Games are the best part about playing sports whether it's football, basketball, whatever. It's a mixture of emotions or like a drug. I couldn't compare it to anything because it's like a nervousness but an excitement all at the same time."

Although he won't admit it, it seems Mitchell has things figured out just the way he wants them. Though he's had a somewhat unusual growing up, there was a sense of balance between the good and the bad. For every action there was a positive or negative outcome and in the end. It was up to Mitchell to pick his ultimate path.

"I like it here at Oregon State, in Corvallis," Mitchell said. "This place is very family-oriented and that's really what I like the most. It's comfortable."


Maria Bruggere, sports editor

Sports@dailybarometer.com

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