This is part of a series of interviews that Cortland track and field/cross country runner Shannon Imbornoni '21 conducted in 2020 with former Cortland track and field and/or cross country individual national champions.
Interview Menu
Vicki Mitchell ’91
Vicki Mitchell is a seven-time individual NCAA champion, two-time team NCAA national champion in cross country, a nine-time All-American and the greatest scholar-athlete in SUNY Cortland history. She was inducted into the SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame in 2004, the Division III Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. She was named Co-C-Club Female Senior Athlete of the Year in 1991. That same year, she was awarded Cortland’s Whitney T. Corey ’43 Award for Senior Female – Highest Overall GPA. Mitchell holds school records and SUNYAC records in the indoor 1,500m, mile, 3,000m and the 3,200m relay. Also, she has held the school record and SUNYAC outdoor 5,000m record since 1991. Additionally, Mitchell won the Cortland track and field Red Letter Award for indoor in 1990 and outdoor in 1991. She also won the Red Letter Award for cross country in 1990. The Snyder native currently lives in Buffalo and serves as the Director and Head Coach of the Men and Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country teams at the University of Buffalo.
Some of the questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Why did you choose Cortland?
SUNY Cortland was, and is, the most highly recognized program for physical education. I selected Cortland for the physical education program and because I could minor in music. Very few institutions offered both programs and even fewer would accommodate.
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What do you remember about your national title season(s)?
[I remember my] amazing teammates and the relentless support from my coach, [Jack Daniels]. [I felt] a feeling of awe and disbelief winning an individual national title [for the first time] and a feeling of pressure, expectation and then relief [the last time].
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What was winning your first title like?
Prior to the race, [I felt] a feeling of nervousness that I had never experienced before. After the race, [I felt] a feeling of complete shock, like ‘did this really happen’ and [I remember] hugging my coach (Jack). My grandmother was at this indoor championship, the 1990 indoor NCAA 1,500m at Smith College— it was the fist race she saw me run.
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What is your favorite memory of Cortland?
Quite simply, Jack and the team. I am forever grateful for the direction, guidance and mentorship that Jack provided.
What have you taken from being a part of the team?
Aside from individual growth and discovering ‘who I am,’ I frequently reflect on the education I received, both in the classroom and on the track. Collegiate athletics prepares you for life. My education and experiences shaped my future, unlocked hidden abilities and directed my career path. It is important for me to feel connected to Cortland, whether it is by being able to donate to the program, meet a current student-athlete, or spend time with former teammates.Â
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What are you doing now?
I am currently the Director and Head Coach of Men & Women’s Track & Field/Cross County at the University at Buffalo. I also am doing the following:
- USTFCCCA NCAA Division XC President
- I frequently speak at clinics and camps
- I am the race director for the Girls on the Run 5k races in Buffalo (Largest 5k in Western New York).
- I serve on the race committee for two other local races
- Coach for Checkers Running Club (Western New York’s largest running club)
- Mentor young woman starting their coaching career
Do you have any advice for Cortland XC/TF athletes now?
Stay in the present moment and enjoy each opportunity, whether it brings success or failure. From failure comes more growth. Expect excellence from yourself and your teammates each day; don’t settle for mediocrity. Lastly, put on the Cortland uniform and represent with pride. The uniform represents your opportunities and the legacy of the program.
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