2021FallWarrior

PARKER

I was thrown out again. Coach was not happy with me at all! I had to stand on the sidelines in a fishnet jersey and shorts for the remainder of the game and it was cold that night!” Mitchell was the recipient of the Andrew F. Webb Football Award at East Central. At the University of Central Arkansas, he was selected team cap- tain of the 1982 football team and was an All-Conference offensive lineman that same year. David Bradberry, who served as an assistant coach at ECCC under Pouncey, said of Mitchell and Ronnie Parker, “Both James and Ronnie were extremely good football players, but they are also great individuals who have accomplished so much. We won a lot of football games with them, but the things they have done with their lives and careers says more about who they are. They are the kind of men you want to have as your neighbor. And I would still want them on my football team today. Those guys were really fun to coach. “I remember when we were play- ing Southwest. As soon as the game was over James slumped over in the dressing room. He wound up having a concussion and spent the night in the hospital that night. He went through a lot of trials and tribulations, but he After graduating from East Central, Parker continued his athletic career and education at Delta State Univer- sity where he led the team in rushing both seasons. He set the record at the time for the longest run from scrim- mage (83 yards) and the record for most yards gained rushing in a game. He was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week four times and was selected team captain on several occa- sions. Since he began his career in fitness • said he had great instructors at East Central, including two of his favorites, Lucille Wood, who taught health, phys- ical education, and recreation classes in addition to coaching women’s basketball, and Larry Blackburn, who served as instructor for the Carpentry and Cabinetmaking program. “They were class acts, I tell you. Both were very positive in their ap- proach,” he said.

was a phenomenal guy.” In the years since his days on the Warrior sidelines, Mitchell completed his college education, began a career, met his wife, Valerie, raised a family, and has moved 13 times, including his last move to Nashville. “We were settled at Duke and thought that would be our forever home. I wasn’t going to move again, but the good Lord called and we went.” He added, “I’ve been involved in the draft and many other things in addition to serving as chaplain. But my priority is growing men. Activities range from Bible studies to player en- gagement and everything in between. I never thought I would be doing this and meeting all these different folks. I’ve come a long way from that first day of practice at East Central. “When I was coaching at Arkansas, we played in the Orange Bowl. They were running the names of the coaches on the big board and where they were from. I looked up and saw James Mitchell from Hickory, Mississippi, and said to myself, ‘Who would have ever thought?’” Mitchell and his wife, Valerie, have three daughters, Asyia, Ashley, and Andrea, and four grandchildren. and personal training, Parker has been involved with various charity runs, free bootcamps, and fitness awareness seminars. He has been a volunteer youth basketball league coach, and organized fishing outings for at-risk youth. He has been involved with the Fel- lowship of Christian Athletes, and received certification by the Interna- tional Fitness Professional Association. Parker and his wife, Phyllis, have three children, Rex, Bristy, and Alexia, and four grandchildren. “I enjoyed my career as an athlete at ECCC because it grounded me for all things to come in my life. In life, you are going to be challenged. It is up to you as an individual where you are go- ing to invest your heart and soul. I’ve failed many times along this journey, but my failures have taught me all of my success.”

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Mitchell said he was thankful for coaches like Mack Fanning at Hickory High School and East Central’s Ken Pouncey who saw something in him. “There was someone pushing me every step of the way, even beyond my own expectations,” he said. “Everyone at East Central encouraged me, not just as an athlete, but as a student as well.” He also credits his parents for much of his success. “They taught me to work hard and be respectful. And they always sup- ported me. They saw most of my games at East Central and were able to see me in two games at Central Arkansas.” In reminiscing about his days as an EC football player, Mitchell said, “Every day was crazy! We were close as a team and had a lot of fun together, especial- ly in the dorms. Of course, there was always a fight against EMCC.” Mitchell gave new meaning to the word Warrior as he was known to get very aggressive during some games and even confessed to being thrown out on more than one occasion. “I was thrown out one game for fighting,” he said. “The very next week, field. His attitude was ‘be the best of the best.’” David Bradberry who was an assis- tant under coach Pouncey during those years said of Parker, “Ronnie was a tre- mendous talent and did a lot of things that ordinary people don’t do.” Bradberry also commented regard- ing Parker and Mitchell, “Both Ron- nie and James were extremely good football players, but they are also great individuals who have accomplished so much. We won a lot of football games with them, but the things they have done with their lives and careers is more about who they are. They are the kind of men you want to have as your neighbor. And I would still want them on my football team today. Those guys were really fun to coach.” In addition to his coaches, Parker MITCHELL – Continued from page 16

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