Concordia University Chicago men's basketball legend Mitch Pelissier added the word "champion" to his already impressive basketball resume. Last week, the school's second all-time leading scorer helped the KB Teuta Durres to their first Albanian Superliga title in 66 years.
The journey to the title was more than a year in the making, as Pelissier and his teammates were sent home with roughly a quarter of the 2020 season remaining due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He returned to Albania for a month in the fall of 2020 and reunited with his team as they set their sights toward a new season. However, November brought a rise in new cases and the season was suspended indefinitely and the players again sent home.
Finally, Pelissier got a call this past February telling him the season would begin in March and he headed back to Albania to launch his quest for a title. The team had an impressive showing in the condensed year, compiling a 12-3 record while also going 8-0 in a mid-season cup tournament.
After sweeping their semifinal opponent, Tueta took the floor for a best-of-five championship series against Goga, the team who finished in first place in the regular season. It was a tall task, but Pelissier and his teammates never doubted their chances.
"Our confidence was sky high," Pelissier said. "We came into the series on a 14-game winning streak overall and had won four of our last six against them."
After Goga evened the series at one, Tueta won a nail-biter in game three to put them one win away from their first title in 66 years. Heading into halftime of game four, Pelissier and his team held a narrow one-point lead and the former Cougar had scored just two points.
Everything clicked for the guard in the second half. He dropped 18 points en route to being the game's leading scorer as his team cruised to a 16-point victory.
"Winning a championship this year meant more because of everything we, along with the entire world, had to endure," Pelissier said. "The magnitude of what we did really hit me when fans approached me with tears in their eyes and thanked me for bringing a title home."
Even though he's now a champion, the CUC graduate hasn't forgotten about any of his previous stops. He still keeps up with the program through social media and box scores, and even stayed in touch with a few of his old teammates who are still donning the maroon and gold.
"I view my career as taking steps," Pelissier said. "I went to a very small high school, so going to CUC was a big step. The recognition I got while playing there helped me get where I am now. The school is part of who I am."
In terms of life overseas, the Puyallup, Wash. native could not be more content. There are four other Americans on his team, and the local guys on the roster have taken them under their wings and showed them the ropes.
"It's amazing, really a dream come true," Pelissier said. "We're busy, but my whole day is consumed by basketball. That's my dream."
Of course, it helps when your team is also located in a beachfront city. Pelissier noted that when he's not playing basketball, he's either out to eat or hanging out on the beach.
As a basketball junkie, Pelissier also has a passion and joy for coaching the game. He's been coaching youth ever since he wasn't one himself and he has a particular interest in skill training and one-on-one work. He says he can one day see himself as a head coach.
For the time being, the 6-3 guard is focussed on continuing to improve his game this summer and preparing for next season. All overseas contracts are one-year deals, so it's hard to look too far ahead. He knows he must continue to prove himself each time he takes the court.
"Most of the guys over here played Division I or II," Pelissier said. "I feel like I'm not only representing Concordia, but all Division III athletics as a whole. I know there's a stigma around D3 guys, but I want to show there's a lot of tremendous athletes who compete at that level."
