Women’s Soccer Q&A: Allison Mitchell

Feb. 20, 2003

Questions and Answers with Senior Allison Mitchell

Allison is the captain for the Lady Tigers and will be a rising senior this fall. She is from Signal Mountain, Tennessee and is majoring in Aquaculture Fisheries. Allison was named an Academic All-American by the NSCAA for the fall of 2002.

Q. Talk about how feels to be entering your year of spring season training as you are approaching your senior year.

A. I am incredibly excited about training this spring in preparation for my senior year. The spring season is always wonderful because we get to work on a lot of technical aspects of the game that you wouldn’t really have time to work on in the fall. I can already see the amazing potential that our team holds for next year. I can’t wait.

Q. You were named “Lady Tiger of the Year Award” by your teammates at the awards banquet held this past month. What does that mean to you?

A. I was truly honored to receive this award. It’s one thing to win an award from a panel of people who don’t even know you, but when your own teammates select you for something like this, it means so much more. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the whole awards thing because soccer is definitely not a sport based on individual success. The fact that certain players may stand out is primarily due to their surrounding teammates, in one way or another. Nonetheless, I am incredibly grateful for this honor.

Q. Why did you come to Clemson? And why do you like playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference?

A. To be honest, in high school I would have never seen myself at Clemson, I didn’t even know where it was! As soon as I came here on a visit, I absolutely love the atmosphere and the surrounding area. When I found Clemson had such an excellent soccer program and they offered Wildlife Biology as a major, I was sold. I love playing in the ACC for several reasons. People say it’s the most competitive conference in the country. Also, no matter who is playing, ACC matches are ALWAYS incredibly intense because there’s more riding on the game. You always know you you’re in for a battle when it is ACC time!

Q. How do you prepare for a match?

A. Before a match there are four things that I always do: drink tons of water, stretch a lot, listen to some of the Beastie Boys, and most importantly, say a little prayer.

Q. Do you have any superstitions?

A. I’m not a very superstitious person, but I always wear a piece of pre-wrap around my right thumb for each match.

Q. What is your favorite food to eat?

A. There is nothing that hits the spot like twice-baked potatoes.

Q. What are 3 things you would take with you if you were stranded on an Island?

A. My dog, because then I would always have a companion to play with , a B.B. gun, because it will provide me with entertainment and give me something to do, and a go-cart, because it provides me with transportation.

Q. Who is your role model? And why?

A. My mom is definitely one of my biggest role models. She is an amazing person who can have the worst day of her life and still manage to have a smile on her face and dinner on the table.

Q. Who is the class clown on the team?

A. The best thing about our team is that there are several clowns on the team. If I had to just pick one off the top of my head, I would have to go with Kristen Procopio Allen. Kristen always has something hilarious to say or does something goofy. And most importantly, she has a mullet.

Q. What do you look forward to for the fall season as you will be a returning captain?

A. I have a weird feeling that next season is going to be that “dream season” that everyone hopes for at least once. Our returning team is as strong as ever, and our new freshman class is going to be unbelievable. I feel honored to be a captain of a team filled with such talented players and amazing women. I am ecstatic about entering my last season with the mentality our team presently holds.