From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced that Chris Mitchell has been promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications. Mitchell, who enters his 15th year with WashU, has served as the school’s Sports Information Director for the last 12 years.
“Chris Mitchell is one of the finest Sports Information Directors in the country across all levels, and we are thrilled to recognize his exceptional service to our program and our student-athletes by promoting him to Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications,” Whitman said. “Chris’s work ethic is unparalleled. He bleeds Red & Green, and the pride he takes in this great university is evident in the quality of his work.”
In his role, Mitchell is responsible for coordinating the strategic communication of the WashU Department of Athletics and its 19 varsity sports programs. Under his leadership, the department has advanced noticeably in its use of technology to promote Bears Athletics. In 2014, he spearheaded efforts to move webhosting to a third party and redesigned the department’s website, bearsports.wustl.edu, with functionality that continues to expand.
The Bears are active on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, all of which have garnered thousands of followers. Mitchell was instrumental in the creation of the Bears Sports Network in 2008. Last year, BSN streamed live video and commentary from more than 100 home athletic contests in 12 sports, allowing parents, alumni, and friends to watch the Bears from all corners of the globe.
“In the last 10 years, perhaps no area of our industry has changed as much or as quickly as sports information,” continued Whitman. “Today more than ever, we have the means, and the responsibility, to harness the power of technology to tell our own story. Chris is a champion in this area. He is progressive in his approach and uses his creativity to identify new and exciting opportunities to more effectively tell the tremendous story of WashU Athletics. Between Chris and Assistant Sports Information Director Kelcey Buck, we are fortunate to have two of the best storytellers in the business.”
In his time at WashU, Mitchell has been involved in a number of postseason experiences. The department has hosted numerous NCAA championship events, including the Division III Men’s Tennis Championships in 2007 and the Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2010 and 2011. Mitchell also leads the department’s Sports of Hall of Fame Committee and is active in a number of campus committees.
Mitchell is married to Mary Ann Mitchell, who serves as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.