ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College Athletic Department has announced that Mari Mitchell has been promoted from assistant coach to head coach of the women's tennis program, announced on Tuesday, July 16 by Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79.
"I am truly excited to announce the promotion of Mari Mitchell to head coach for women's tennis," Bassett said. "Coach Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge as a player, teacher and coach of the game. She earned everyone's confidence in her role as assistant coach."
"We firmly believe that the structure with Mari Mitchell as head women's coach and Tom Rishcoff as head men's coach will better serve the needs of our student-athletes in the sports of men's and women's tennis," added Bassett. "We look forward to this next chapter for tennis at IC and welcome Mari Mitchell to the ranks of head coach for Ithaca College."
Mitchell, a four-year member of the nearby Cornell University tennis team where she was an All-American in 1998 joined the Ithaca College coaching staff prior to the 2023-24 season.
She has over 30 years of coaching experience that began with the Big Red as an assistant coach from 1998-2000 and prior to her time at IC she was most recently the Ithaca High School head tennis coach from 2019-20 where she was named ESPN Ithaca Coach of the Year following the 2020 season.
"I am thrilled for the promotion to head coach of the women's tennis program, and excited for the support we have received from the athletic department," said Mitchell. "We have a talented group of student-athletes to begin this new chapter with and I can't wait to get out on the court and get to work."
During Mitchell's time as an assistant coach, the Bombers went 8-10 during the season including a 3-5 mark within the Liberty League where they qualified for their fourth-straight Liberty League Championship tournament.
"As we look ahead to the upcoming season, I am incredibly optimistic about the potential of our team," Mitchell expressed. "With a strong core of returning players and leaders, this year presents a perfect opportunity to focus on individual growth and cohesive teamwork. Our goal is to push each player to achieve new heights while fostering a united team spirit that will propel us to success both on and off the court."