Baseball was woven into Matthew's life from childhood. 

Some of his greatest memories and closest friendships were formed on baseball fields, in dugouts, during long road trips, and in hotel rooms with teammates who became family. 

Even Mitchell family vacations somehow seemed to find their way to a Major League Baseball game. And wherever Matthew traveled, there was a good chance his baseball glove—appropriately named “Brittany”—was coming along too. 

His love for the game eventually went beyond playing. Matthew served as a brand ambassador for various baseball companies and later poured himself into coaching young players. 

They were not simply players to Matthew. 

They were “his kids.” 

When members of his Barrons baseball family came to see him during his final days at home, it was a reminder of something we had witnessed throughout his life: Matthew built relationships that lasted far beyond the field. 

Texas Tech University became one of the defining chapters of Matthew's life. 

After beginning his college baseball journey at Hendrix College, Matthew eventually found his way to Lubbock and Texas Tech—a place that became much more than a university to him. It became home. 

He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech in August 2025 and then did something extraordinary. 

While undergoing treatment for brain cancer, Matthew completed his master's degree in just 12 months. 

In August 2026, using a wheelchair full-time, Matthew crossed the commencement stage as the first master's candidate of the ceremony. 

Cancer did not get to take that moment from him. 

During his time at Texas Tech, Matthew also distinguished himself academically. As an undergraduate, he became a published author through research with Dr. Hoyoon Jung—an accomplishment particularly meaningful because of how uncommon it was for an undergraduate student in his department. 

But Matthew's Texas Tech experience extended far beyond the classroom. 

He worked with the Red Raider Club and Texas Tech Ticket Office, developed relationships with faculty, staff, students, and supporters, and became deeply connected to the university community. 

He was also a proud member of Kappa Sigma, sharing the fraternity bond with his father and some of his closest friends. 

Matthew loved Texas Tech. 

And Texas Tech loved Matthew. 

In March 2025, at just 21 years old, Matthew was diagnosed with what was initially believed to be glioblastoma. 

Further testing revealed an exceptionally rare tumor: Glioneuronal tumor with ATRX alteration, kinase fusion, and anaplastic features (GTAKA), with a recurrent NTRK gene fusion. 

What followed were 18 months that changed our family forever. 

There were hospitals, MRIs, surgeries, medications, clinical trials, radiation treatments, seizures, wheelchairs, victories, setbacks, and more medical terminology than any family should ever have to learn. 

But there was also something much greater happening. 

There was faith. 

There were friendships. 

There were people praying across Texas and around the country. 

There were doctors, nurses, researchers, coaches, professors, teammates, fraternity brothers, coworkers, friends, family members, and complete strangers who became part of Matthew's story. 

And through it all, Matthew kept moving forward. 

He finished his education. 

He worked. 

He coached. 

He loved his friends. 

He loved his family. 

And he continued living. 

As difficult as Matthew's cancer journey was, our family witnessed God working through it in ways we could never have anticipated. 

Matthew's journey changed people. 

It strengthened faith. 

It started conversations about Jesus. 

It brought people together. 

And it reminded us that God's work is not always measured by whether we receive the outcome for which we prayed. 

On August 25, 2026, at 22 years old, Matthew went home to be with the Lord. 

Our prayers had always been for Matthew to be healed. 

We believe that prayer was ultimately answered—just not in the way we wanted. 

Matthew was finally free from cancer, treatments, seizures, wheelchairs, hospitals, and pain. 

His battle was over. 

His story was not. 

The Matthew James Mitchell Red Raider Club Endowment was created so that Matthew's relationship with Texas Tech and his passion for helping others can continue for generations. 

This endowment is not simply about remembering someone we lost. 

It is about continuing what Matthew started. 

It is about creating opportunities. 

It is about supporting students and programs. 

It is about relationships. 

It is about making someone feel seen and included. 

It is about leaving a place better than you found it. 

That is how Matthew lived. 

There will be students who benefit from Matthew's endowment who never had the opportunity to meet him. They may never hear his laugh, sit beside him at a baseball game, work with him at Texas Tech, or experience the way he could turn a stranger into a friend. 

But they will experience the impact of his life. 

And through them, Matthew will continue making a difference. 

His name will continue to be spoken. 

His story will continue to be told. 

His faith will continue to inspire. 

His legacy will continue to grow. 

And every time something good happens because of this endowment, a little more of Matthew remains here with us.