Talk about a banner year for Al Mitchell.
The senior running back from Milwaukee was named the Midwest
Conference Offensive Player of the Year, first team all-Midwest
Conference and was a captain of the 2012 Forester squad that
captured a share of the Midwest Conference title.
His stats were equally as impressive. Mitchell finished sixth in
the league with 865 rushing yards on th eseason and scored seven
touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 35 passes for 300 yards
and three touchdowns. Mitchell finished his career with 1,977
rushing yards, the fifth highest total in school history.
So what does he do for an encore?
Mitchell was one of 44 NCAA Division III players named to the Team
Stars & Stripes roster for the 2012 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of
the Stars) which was played in Mexico on Saturday, December 15th.
Mitchell's coach, Jim Catanzaro, served as the team's defensive
coordinator for the game.
In order to be eligible for the game, Mitchell had to be nominated
by head coaches at DIII colleges to partipate in the fourth annual
game that was organized by Global Football.
According to Catanzaro, Mitchell was the only player in the game
to play on both sides of the ball as Team Stars & Stripes
defeated Mexico's Conadeip All-Stars 32-15. But the trip to Mexico
wasn't just about football as the team participated in community
service as well.
The players took part in a service project in order to benefit an
impoverished neighborhood of Guadalajara, Mexico. The players,
along with coaches and staff members, held a football clinic for
youngsters in Valle del Sol. The participants were able to try on
football helmets and pads, learn to throw and catch a football and
take part in basic drills. They also helped clear an area land to
make it more suitable as a play area for the community's
children.
Catanzaro had nothing but good things to say about his experience
in Mexico.
"What Global Football has created her eis truly an amazing
experience and I am loving every minute as a part of it. This has
been an amazing experience for me personally," Cat said.