By Ashley Sidebottom, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Korey Blake Mitchell, a record-setting basketball player at Campbellsville University from Huntington, W.Va., has proven he can work and play hard and still be successful.
Mitchell has been accepted to the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University where he will begin graduate studies this fall.
Mitchell will receive a bachelor of science degree with a biology major and chemistry minor during Campbellsville University’s commencement Saturday, May 5.
Besides his undergraduate studies, Mitchell has been an integral component of the Tiger basketball team at Campbellsville University.
Mitchell was recently named to the Tiger Basketball 1,000 point club, and ended the Tigers regular season with 1,009 career points. A trip to the NAIA National Championship garnered Mitchell 15 additional points, giving him a career total of 1,024 points.
Tiger basketball coach Keith Adkins, who is in his tenth year at Campbellsville University, described Mitchell as “a coach’s dream” and “a very talented basketball player.”
Adkins said Mitchell “has proven that he will sacrifice personal accomplishments to achieve the goals of the (basketball) team.”
“Korey is a student athlete who exemplifies an honor roll student and understands the importance of education and preparing for his life after basketball,” Adkins said.
“Korey is the type of young man you would want your son to be like. His parents and family must be very proud of what he has accomplished.”
“He’s a great kid and I will absolutely miss the character he brings to the (basketball) program.”
Adkins said he and Mitchell have shared the highs and lows of Campbellsville University’s basketball program together over the past four years, and said “it has been a pleasure watching (Korey) grow,” both as a person and as a basketball player.
Mitchell, a 2003 graduate of Spring Valley High School in Huntington, returned to his hometown during his summer break to participate in Sports City U Basketball Academy, where he helped give lessons and assisted with camps for young basketball players. Sports City U offers day and overnight basketball training camps for ages 9 to 17 in Teays Valley, W.Va. and Oklahoma City, Okla.
Mitchell came to Campbellsville University after a surprise visit by Adkins and assistant coach Bryan Milburn to one of his high school basketball games.
Coming to CU would mean turning down the West Virginia PROMISE (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-state Student Excellence) scholarship, which is a merit-based scholarship program designed to keep qualified students in West Virginia by making college affordable.
Nonetheless, Mitchell and his parents, Kenny and Joanna, piled in the car for a visit to Campbellsville University.
“Initially my mom didn’t want me to go so far away, but once they came they were pleased with what they saw,” Mitchell said, “and the staff couldn’t have been nicer.”
Mitchell’s former academic advisor Kay Sutton describes him as “respectful, conscientious and hard working and the type of guy you want your daughter to date.”
“I wish I could clone him. He always gives 110 percent both in the classroom and on the basketball court,” Sutton said.
Sutton said Mitchell simply “does what he is supposed to do.”
“He always did well on tests, even after road trips. He never had a problem keeping up with athletics and academics,” Sutton said.
While he did leave a permanent “Dimetapp stain” on the chemistry lab floor, Sutton said, Mitchell has also left a lasting impression at CU.
“He will be missed,” Sutton said.
While Mitchell said he has enjoyed his four years at Campbellsville University, he also looks forward to getting back to his hometown and his family.
“I was thrilled to get in (to Marshall), because it’s in-state and close to home,” Mitchell said.
Since Marshall is only ten minutes from his house, Mitchell says he will get to make up for lost time with his family. He will get to spend extra time with his younger sister, Brianna, who will begin her sophomore year at Marshall this fall.
While he hasn’t decided on a specialty yet, Mitchell said he has a few areas he is looking into, “but I am trying to keep my options open.”
Mitchell said he would definitely miss all the friends he has made at Campbellsville University, as well as the basketball team who has been “like a family” to him.
“I would like to thank President Carter, all the professors and staff on campus, Coach Adkins, Coach Milburn and Coach (Jeff) Hamilton for everything they have done to get me where I wanted to be,” Mitchell said.
“Korey has been an outstanding member of the campus community for four years, and he will definitely be missed. I wish him the best of luck with his future studies and medical career,” said President Michael V. Carter.
Campbellsville University, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master’s colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.