Janie Mitchell Selected As Purple Knights Head Women's Cross Country And Basketball Coach

Bridgeport, Conn. - University of Bridgeport Director of Athletics Anthony Vitti has announced that Janie Mitchell will join the Department of Athletics staff as the head coach of the Purple Knights' women's basketball and cross country programs.  Mitchell comes to Bridgeport from Stony Brook University, where she has served as the Seawolves' assistant women's basketball coach and recruiting coordinator since May of 2016.

Prior to her time on Long Island, Coach Mitchell served in the same position for three seasons at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

Said Vitti, "We welcome Janie with a great deal of enthusiasm to the University of Bridgeport and our athletics department family. She's has been a winner both as a coach and a student-athlete throughout her stellar career in basketball.  I think she is just the right person to move our programs ahead at all levels."

"I'm excited about the challenge of coming to an outstanding institution and athletic program like the University of Bridgeport," stated Mitchell.  "I thank the Bridgeport administration and Athletic Director Anthony Vitti for allowing me this outstanding opportunity to take the next step in professional development that I truly feel I'm ready for. I'd also like to thank my family, the many coaches, administrators and student-athletes that have helped me grow during my journey to help prepare me for a head coaching position.  I'm ready to hit the ground running and help take the Purple Knights to the next level."

Along with her time at Stony Brook and Kennesaw State, she has NCAA Division I coaching experience at her alma mater, Georgia Tech and Jackson State, plus she spent one season on the bench at NAIA power, Southern Polytechnic State University.

Named the 2004 State of Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and an Adidas and Nike All-American at Callaway High School, Mitchell went on to be a standout, All-Atlantic Coast Conference student-athlete at Georgia Tech from 2004-08, leading the Yellow Jackets in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg) as a senior. She became the 22nd player in school history to reach 1,000 points and the 15th to finish her career with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.  A three-year captain and Dean's List student, she completed her career in at Georgia Tech with 1,422 points and 704 rebounds. She was named All-ACC honorable mention in 2007 and third team All-ACC in 2008. The Atlanta Tip-Off Club named her the Georgia Player of the Year in 2008.

Following her stellar collegiate career, Janie played one season professionally in Rousse, Bulgaria, for Dunav Econt. She was the first American female athlete to play basketball in Rousse, and she also took part in the WNBA's Sacramento Monarch's training camp.

Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Georgia Tech in 2008.