by EWU Athletics
Walter Payton Award recipient Bo Levi Mitchell was honored as Amateur Male Athlete of the Year by the Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters in 2011 awards presented in conjunction with the annual Inland Northwest Sports Awards Luncheon in Spokane, Wash., on Feb. 15.
It was only the fourth time an Eastern Washington University athlete has been honored since the awards were first presented in 1948. The athletes previously honored were football player J.C. Sherritt (2010), basketball player Rodney Stuckey (2007) and football player Scott Garske (1973).
Mitchell is currently in Texas training for an opportunity to play professional football and was unable to attend the luncheon. Eastern quarterbacks coach Zak Hill accepted the award on Mitchell's behalf.
"It's such a great honor to be named the Inland Northwest Athlete of the Year," said Mitchell. "It shows most of all how much time, effort and hard work that not only I have put in, but also my teammates and our coaches. Our coaches give up so much to be able to help athletes like myself to succeed individually and as a team. This award is huge to me because it provides more regional and national exposure to Eastern Washington University. I'm ecstatic and appreciate the honor a great deal."
Mitchell capped his career by winning the prestigious Walter Payton Award, which is sponsored by Fathead.com and presented by The Sports Network to the top player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. He was also selected to nine different FCS All-America teams and was the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He played in the AstroTurf NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl in January 2012, completing 8-of-15 passes for 110 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
After playing two seasons at Southern Methodist University, Mitchell transferred to Eastern in January 2010 and led the Eagles to the NCAA Division I title his first season. The native of Katy, Texas, was selected as the Most Outstanding Player in EWU's 20-19 come-from-behind victory over Delaware in the title game.
Mitchell earned first team All-America accolades on teams selected by The Sports Network, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Phil Steele Publications and Beyond Sports College Network. Also, Mitchell earned third team honors from collegesportsmadness.com, and honorable mention from The College Sporting News Fabulous Fifty and College Sports Journal
Along with fellow All-Americans Nicholas Edwards (wide receiver) and Chris Powers (center), in 2011 Eastern led FCS in passing yards per game (368.5) and ranked seventh overall in total offense (447.4). The Eagles won six of their last seven games to finish 6-5 after a 0-4 start. A year earlier, the Eagles finished with an 11-game winning streak and closed the year 13-2.
Mitchell also had the rare opportunity to play the 2011 season with his older brother Cory Mitchell, a freshman wide receiver who finished with 19 catches for 310 yards and a pair of scores.
Injuries and a difficult early-season schedule were the main factors in keeping the Eagles from repeating as national champions. A total of 14 starters – seven on each side of the ball -- suffered injuries that kept them out of the lineup – including seven players lost for the season. Eastern's offensive line was the hardest hit, as a total of 10 players started along the offensive line.
BO LEVI MITCHELL 2011 HONORS WON
POSTSEASON ALL-STAR GAME
AstroTurf NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl (8x15, 110 yards, 1 TD and 0 Int.)
NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Walter Payton Award from The Sports Network
Elite Quarterback Award from College Football Performance Awards
ALL-AMERICA AWARDS
American Football Coaches Association (first team)
The Sports Network (first team)
Associated Press (first team)
Walter Camp Football Foundation (first team)
Phil Steele Publications (first team)
Beyond Sports College Network (first team)
Collegesportsmadness.com (third team)
College Sporting News "Fabulous Fifty" (honorable mention)
College Sports Journal (honorable mention)
REGIONAL AWARDS
Amateur Male Athlete of the Year by the Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters (SWABS)
BIG SKY CONFERENCE AWARDS
Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year
All-Big Sky Conference First Team
PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARDS
Big Sky Conference Player of the Week
Offense - QB Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. Cal Poly 11/12/11 - 34x50, 436 yards, 5 TD)
Offense - QB Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. UNC 10/15/11 - 28x39, 400 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
Offense - QB Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. NAU 10/8/11 - 27x40, 356 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
College Sports Madness Big Sky Conference Player of the Week
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. UNC 10/15/11 - 28x39, 400 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
Beyond College Sports Network FCS Player of the Week (multiple chosen)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. Cal Poly 11/12/11 - 34x50, 436 yards, 5 TD)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. UNC 10/15/11 - 28x39, 400 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
College Football Performance Awards (Honorable Mention)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. ISU 11/19/11 - 37x51, 397 yards, 4 TD)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. Cal Poly 11/12/11 - 34x50, 436 yards, 5 TD)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. PSU 10/29/11 - 20x42, 440 yards, 4 TD)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. UNC 10/15/11 - 28x39, 400 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. NAU 10/8/11 - 27x40, 356 yds, 3 TD, 0 int)
Quarterback - Bo Levi Mitchell (vs. UW 9/3/11 - 39x69, 472 yds, 3 TD, 2 int)
© Bo Levi Mitchell (EWU Athletics)
