Ferris State University senior quarterback Mylik Mitchell (Cleveland, Ohio), who has helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships, has been chosen as the recipient of Ferris State Athletics' Jimmy Swears Courage Award for the recently-completed 2022-23 campaign.

The Jimmy Swears Courage Award is presented to a deserving student or current personnel within the Bulldog Athletics program, who when confronted with a life-altering or difficult situation, has used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the odds while inspiring others.

"Mylik Mitchell is a great choice for the Jimmy Swears Courage Award and has had to battle both injury and adversity in his collegiate career," said FSU Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank. "He's the ultimate team player and played thru pain last fall to help our team claim the national championship for the second year in a row. He's been a leader for his team and deserves this recognition for the way in which he has overcame the odds."

Mitchell, who returns for the Bulldogs this fall, played thru a foot injury last fall that forced him to miss five games. He returned to the lineup in October and helped spark Ferris State on yet another memorable postseason run, culminating in a decisive win over the Colorado School of Mines in the national championship game. He finished the year by throwing for 1,512 yards and six scores while adding 209 rushing yards and four scores.

A team leader and captain, Mitchell has also sacrificed for the team the past two seasons, splitting time at the offensive controls with former Bulldog Jared Bernhardt in 2021 and fellow Bulldog Carson Gulker in 2022. He began his collegiate career on the NCAA Division I level at Kent State before being injured and eventually leaving the program. After time away, Mitchell joined the Bulldogs in the winter of 2020 before having to sit out yet another year due to the fall 2020 COVID season cancellation. The 26-year old Mitchell has helped tutor FSU's younger quarterbacks and is expected to lead the Bulldogs on their quest for another NCAA D2 Playoff berth this fall.

"Mylik is a deserving candidate for this honor and has put the team's best interests at heart," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "He's a humble and passionate young man wtih outstanding ability and a desire to be the best he can be. We're thrilled he's been selected for this prestigious honor."

The Jimmy Swears Courage Award is named in honor of longtime FSU Athletics booster Jim Swears, who passed away Jan. 17, 2007, at the age of 64 following a lengthy bout with cancer. A local businessman and community activist, Swears was a strong supporter of Ferris State men's ice hockey, football, and basketball. He worked diligently to help develop and maintain FSU's status as a NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program. Additionally, Swears served on the board of directors for the Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association and was an active member of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. He was the 2006 recipient of the Northern Lights Lifetime Achievement Award for business and industry in the Big Rapids (Mich.) area.

Nominees for the award are an inspiration to their peers, serve as a role model to others and are a team leader while responding to adversity. Those individuals nominated for the award must be involved with the Bulldog intercollegiate athletics program and possibly include student-athletes, student managers, student coaches and/or student athletic trainers in addition to current athletics department personnel.

Mitchell becomes the 15th-ever winner of the Jimmy Swears Courage Award and the third Bulldog Football student-athlete to earn the recognition. Former women's basketball guard Kylie Muntz is the only two-time winner of the prestigious honor, making this year's honor the 16th time overall in which the award has been bestowed.