Hollins – Carroll County High School and Hollins University alum Brandi Cochran – Mitchell received the ultimate honor Saturday afternoon when HU inducted her into their Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon.
Cochran – Mitchell graduated from Hollins back in 2005, playing basketball all four seasons at the University located in the outskirts of Roanoke. During her playing days she was known for giving her team whatever it needed as well as from any of the five spots on the floor.
During her playing days she was still Brandi Cochran, fresh out of Carroll County High School, where she also played four seasons ( 3 Varsity, 1 JV) of basketball. CCHS bookended her time at Hollins as the moment she graduated from College she headed back to her hometown of Hillsville to begin her career as a teacher.
Shortly after beginning her teaching career she married (2007) and Mitchell became the hyfened name. Staying busy in a manner that few could match, BC-M found the time to further her education, start a family and step into her Father’s footsteps as one of the Gate Keepers to the Carroll County AAU basketball program.
Up until the just concluded season one of the many, many hats worn was the Assistant Coach for the Lady Cavalier basketball team. During that run the team claimed just the second and third State titles in the history of the High School.
Full speed ahead has been the gear that Cochran – Mitchell has been operating in for the entirety of her adult life. Getting her to slow down long enough to accept the Award might have been a challenge in itself.
When asked to reflect on what accepting the honor meant to her Cochran – Mitchell was as elegant in her response as she was determined on the basketball court.
” I’m so incredibly lucky to have the support system of my former coaches, parents, brothers and husband. I couldn’t do this without them”, said Cochran – Mitchell.
” I became the person I am today because of the education I received at Hollins and basketball was what got me there. I found my voice and the confidence to speak up when I feel like I need to and I will always do that especially if it means I’m standing up for kids.”
The list of accomplishments here go well beyond anything done on the gym floor
” I love basketball and I love Hollins and I’m so thankful for the doors basketball has opened up for me,” added Cochran – Mitchell.
A.S.P.N on The Hill 