Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 5-22-18

Local Couple Tries To Make Difference In Athletes’ Lives
UniverSoul Circus Gospel Night
The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America was the special guest of UniverSoul Circus Gospel Night. (Photos by Julia Jackson)
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
(Continued From Friday, May 18, 2018)
Mark and Marilyann Mitchells currently coach both boys and girls volley- ball at Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School. Marilynann is better known as “Coach Cookie.”
The couple spent 5 years at King High School coach- ing volleyball, and in their final season there Coach Mark had his 2nd unde- feated JV season and Coach Cookie made a Regional Final appearance and fin- ished the season 21-3, losing to the state champions, Venice High School. Her overall record while at King High was 74 -32. They hold the record for volleyball wins in the school’s history.
Coach Cookie was an athlete from a young age and participated in cheerleading, modeling, theater, softball, basketball, track and of course, volleyball.
She was also a Runner- Up for Miss Teenage Tampa, 1986. She played volleyball, basketball and ran track while a student at Tampa Prep High School. As a vol- leyball player, she was part of a State Championship team and a long standing dominant program headed by coaching legend Carol Dagostino, now Chalu’.
“Playing for Coach Chalu’ is one of the main reasons I had the ability to become a coach in the first place,” Cookie said. “Coach Chalu’s leadership has resulted in many of her former players becoming
Coaches Mark and Cookie Mitchell at the Hillsborough County 29th Annual Coaches Banquet on April 28th.
The colorful ringmaster conducted the evening’s per- formance at Raymond James Stadium.
The#1ushermakingsure everyone found their seats was Ms. Linda.
high school, club and college coaches, as myself,” she stated.
Coach Mark (U. S. Ma- rine Veteran, Kappa Kappa Psi and Marching 100 Alumni) had no volleyball experience at the time, but he became a student of the game and through his stud- ies learned all that he needed to.
Although their coaching experience began in basket- ball at the Temple Terrace Recreation Center, they felt that the sport of volleyball needed their influence more. Their research indi- cated that the sport of vol- leyball was only reaching a limited socio-economic group. They wanted the game to be available to any- one interested. Thus, the Tampa Bay Raptors was found in 2009.
The couple also intro- duced their children to sports.
Cookie and Mark Mitchell have 2 children, Marcel and Mercedyz and
attend Living Faith Assem- bly of God.
Marcel attended Tampa Bay Technical High School in the Medical program where he was a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, BETA Club and the DDR Club. He graduated in December of 2017 from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science.
Mercedyz Mitchell at- tended King High School in the King Advanced Place- ment Scholars Program. There, she played varsity volleyball, basketball, flag football and was on the Swim Team.
She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Orchestra, Best Buddies and Pep Club. Mercedyz was voted Best of the Best by TBO Sports in 2015 as their Female Athlete of the Year.
She attended Ave Maria University on a volleyball scholarship. After helping lead the Gyrenes to their best season in school his- tory, Mercedyz transferred to Full Sail University. She graduated in March of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Show Production. Mercedyz continues to be involved in volleyball by serving as a part time coach with the Raptors and she also produces promotional highlight videos.
When they are not on the volleyball court, the Mr. and Mrs. Mitchells enjoy cruising and have been on nearly 30 cruises to date. They also enjoy movies, music, love to travel and spend time together trying out new restaurants.
The Tampa Bay Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America performed at the circus.
The sidekick dancer for the circus’ ringmaster kept the au- dience laughing.
Rev. and Mrs. Nathaniel Love, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Seffner attended Gospel Night at the circus.
Local
Lawrence Hires made sure there were no glitches in the performances.
promoter,
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018