Sport has been the one constant in my life, and that passion was born in Lisle. I was given the opportunity to compete; team up with athletes who more importantly were great people; and be challenged by leaders like Carlin Nalley who invested in our well-being long after the final play. My high school experience was most pivotal. Unlike my hoop teammates, I lacked both experience and athletic ability. I did have height -- and coaches who pushed me to work harder than I ever knew I could. A few years later, when I was selected to walk-on the Illinois basketball team, my thoughts immediately went to those grueling daily grinds running for Coach Gollan (along with the follow-up nightly sessions sneaking into Illinois Benedictine to ball out for a few more hours with my Lion teammates!).
My Lisle experience also unlocked a curiosity that resulted in me moving to Southern California for sunshine (and the ultimate beachfront hoop court) before eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. Sport continued to be central in my life, including a 25+ year career at Nike, and my current chapter in sports technology. My love of sport is also present in my family: my wife Peggy is a passionate MLB fan (go Giants!), while my daughter Mandy was a multi-sport HS athlete who left the Pacific NW to “jump around” as a Wisconsin Badger Business major.
Living on the West Coast, I admit I lost contact with the Lisle community until recently. During Thanksgiving ‘19, I toured LSHS and discovered a completely transformed campus, and more importantly, the school’s reputation for academic and cultural excellence. Inspired, I returned again for the ‘20 HOF induction for Tom Stitt, where our former team gathered for an impromptu reunion and all-night huddle with former classmates.
Even though I left Lisle, it has never left me. Today, more than ever, I cherish my experiences there, thanks to the vision, commitment and tireless effort of John Bartels and the Carlin Nalley Foundation.
Tim Mitchell
Class of 1983
Please consider supporting the CNF Scholarship Fund
My Lisle experience also unlocked a curiosity that resulted in me moving to Southern California for sunshine (and the ultimate beachfront hoop court) before eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. Sport continued to be central in my life, including a 25+ year career at Nike, and my current chapter in sports technology. My love of sport is also present in my family: my wife Peggy is a passionate MLB fan (go Giants!), while my daughter Mandy was a multi-sport HS athlete who left the Pacific NW to “jump around” as a Wisconsin Badger Business major.
Living on the West Coast, I admit I lost contact with the Lisle community until recently. During Thanksgiving ‘19, I toured LSHS and discovered a completely transformed campus, and more importantly, the school’s reputation for academic and cultural excellence. Inspired, I returned again for the ‘20 HOF induction for Tom Stitt, where our former team gathered for an impromptu reunion and all-night huddle with former classmates.
Even though I left Lisle, it has never left me. Today, more than ever, I cherish my experiences there, thanks to the vision, commitment and tireless effort of John Bartels and the Carlin Nalley Foundation.
Tim Mitchell
Class of 1983
Please consider supporting the CNF Scholarship Fund
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