Miramar College's Soccer Mom!!
Chances are you have heard the term "soccer mom" before. Perhaps you were never quite sure what the true definition of a "soccer mom" is. At Miramar College, we define it in its truest sense by introducing you to Brandi Mitchell. At age 44, Mitchell, a mother of two grown children, is the newest member of the Miramar College women's soccer team. A quarter century removed from her high school playing days, Mitchell is giving it another chance in college. "I felt like this was an opportunity to do more with my own body," said Mitchell who runs an organization called San Diego Soccer Women, which advocates for women to play sports at older ages. "Over the summer, I thought 'I am at a place in my life where it is one thing to play in these recreational leagues', and I hadn't had any training since I was 17 years old. I wasn't getting any better." As a result, Mitchell decided to sign up for the College's summer soccer class. That is when she realized there was an open spot on the intercollegiate team for the fall. "I said 'HAHA I should play' and the coach told me that if I follow the governing body rules (of California JUCO soccer) I could play." That meant enrolling in college classes full time and passing all the qualifications. That is exactly what Mitchell did after careful self-reflection. "This is super scary I thought to myself, and I can't even imagine playing at that level, I know I am not that good, but if they are willing to take me, I also can't imagine not going forward with this opportunity."
A month after reaching her decision to play, Mitchell is not only the Jet's starting Center Back, but she was recently named team captain. "I tend to have a higher fitness level because I have played so much rec soccer and I hike and walk quite a bit despite my age." Late in the pandemic, Mitchell recognized she and her peers were out of shape so she started a free soccer class for older women. "Being older and having all this experience within the game gives me a little bit of an advantage to be honest." While the Jets are winless, and have been outscored 35-0 over their first five matches, Mitchell has started every game to date and rarely, if ever, comes off the pitch.
A quick perusal of the Jets roster finds Brandi Mitchell listed as number 22 and as a freshman midfielder from Simi Valley High School. Opponents might never realize who she is until they get up close and personal with the soon to be 45-year old on the pitch. "Sometimes I wonder if people are whispering on the sidelines 'that is the team with the older woman,' but when I am chasing a ball nobody seems to notice. It is just when I get near the sidelines and the parents notice me that it becomes interesting and I imagine they are saying 'wait, this 44 year old is playing against my 18-year old daughter.' It is pretty funny."
Brandi fits in extremely well with her much younger teammates. There was some apprehension on her part about the social aspect of interacting with late teens and 20 year-old's, after all, Brandi does have a 21-year old daughter. "The only two funny things that have happened was one player said 'have a nice day ma'am' as I was walking off the field, but she caught herself. One other time during COVID testing the technician said 'thanks coach' but that's been it."
Brandi Mitchell was once a promising young college prospect recruited by the Air Force Academy and Pepperdine. However, an injury, her parents divorcing and financial issues sidetracked her soccer career. "Looking at it now, I laugh thinking how amazing this is to get out there at 44 years old and play. It is the best thing ever!"
Here is where the story reaches a level perhaps never before seen on the collegiate level. As Brandi Mitchell refines her passing skills on the field at Hourglass Park, she often hears the whistles from the nearby pool. This is where we get to the soccer mom part of our story. In that pool is Brandi's 18-year old son Maverick, who recently decided to keep his water polo career going. Brandi convinced Maverick to take Miramar's water polo class over the summer to get back into shape after the pandemic lock down. "I said 'you need to get out and meet people again and go exercise after a year of doing high school remotely' and I actually registered him for the class." Maverick took his mom's advice, enjoyed the summer water polo class and has now earned the starting goalie spot. "My mom has played soccer all her life, she just loves to play soccer," said Maverick Mitchell. "But for me it is super weird because it is my mom. I didn't know she could do all this at this level." According to Maverick, all his teammates think mother and son in the same athletic department is "pretty cool."
In order to qualify to play intercollegiate sports at Miramar College, students must take 12 units and be in good academic standing. Brandi Mitchell has a background in small business and is using the fall 2021 semester in the classroom to advance her skills in Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, Accounting and Nutrition. She is enrolled in 16 units that will sharpen those business skills. She is also enrolled in one online course with her son Maverick. Both take Microsoft Excel. "It is actually helpful because the other night I woke up in the middle of the night and he reminded me that our homework was due at midnight," said Brandi Mitchell. "Being in the same class has already had its benefits."
The two often cross paths in the training room, weight room and sometimes on campus. "I once saw him on campus with his teammates at the start of the semester and I said 'Hey, Maverick' dying to see his reaction and he actually came over said hello and agreed to have lunch with me."
As for the future, Brandi will have one more year of eligibility, "This missed opportunity that has turned into a once in a lifetime moment is something I am just going to enjoy at the moment."
Miramar College fields 6 intercollegiate sports (Men's and Women's Volleyball, Women's Soccer, Men's and Women's Water Polo and Men's Basketball).
Story re-posted from SDMiramar.edu