Mitch Belisle ’07

One of the most decorated defensemen in Cornell men’s lacrosse history, Big Red Hall of Famer Mitch Belisle ’07 spent 12 years playing in both the indoor and outdoor professional leagues, winning championships with the MLL’s Boston Cannons and the NLL’s Georgia Swarm – and that was just his side gig.

In his day job, Belisle uses his ILR degree as the vice president of sales and marketing for Trilogy Lacrosse, a national company with a best in class reputation in educational programming and event management.

Belisle’s wife, Hannah (A&S ’06), and sister, Renee (HE ’09) are fellow Cornellians and his parents recently purchased the Thomas Farm Bed and Breakfast in nearby Caroline.

How did ILR change you?

ILR helped me to better understand who I am and how I perform best. It helped me to realize that I do not want to be a lawyer, introduced me to the excitement of entrepreneurship and taught me how to manage my time and resources, especially within a team environment. 

How are you making an impact through your experiences at ILR?

Every day, I get the opportunity to help shape the future generation using sports. While lacrosse is the vehicle, it is the life lessons, many of which I learned during my time at Cornell, that are the most impactful aspects of a camp, tournament or clinic that young players attend.

How might the mission of ILR help shape the next 75 years of work, labor and employment?

Preparing leaders is something our country needs more than anything in our current climate. No matter the field of study, strong, honest leadership is something that is going to be necessary for the United States in the next century and the ILR school can offer that.