CRANBERRY TWP— Former Butler fullback, wrestler and pitcher Lyneil Mitchell has never left athletics.

Now 31, he's simply moved to another position in the sports world.

He's also moved home.

The 1998 Butler graduate, the Golden Tornado's all-time winningest wrestler at one point, has opened a physical therapy and sports clinic in Cranberry Township.

He graduated from Gannon University with a degree in physical therapy in 2003 and has since worked in Cincinnati and Erie.

“I had accepted a position in Los Angeles, where I would have worked closedly with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers and (soccer) Galaxy,” Mitchell said. “Then a guy from Erie called me and was opening a a clinic in Family First Sports Park, a soccer facility there.

“I wanted to stay closer to home. Eventually, I knew I could make a bigger impact helping people by coming back home.”

Mitchell was 77-19 as a Butler wrestler and was the first Tornado matman to reach the state tournament. He became a two-time All-American wrestler at Gannon, finishing second in the national finals one year.

He did a physical therapy residency in Cincinnati and was involved with the rehab of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer's knee.

“I've learned so much about keeping athletes healthy, not only with rehab, but through preventative measures,” he said.

“I never knew any of this stuff when I was competing. I wish I had. I love having the opportunity to educate young athletes.”

Mitchell credits Bob Mancine, now the head athletic trainer at the University of Cincinnati, as being his mentor.

“I've worked with so many doctors and notable physical therapists,” he enthused. “I've had some of my research published. It's incredible, the information that's out there.”

Mitchell's fiance, Janaan Turner, is also a physical therapist and is working with him. His brother Nathan, a former linebacker at Baldwin Wallace (Ohio) College, is getting his masters degree in business at Pitt. He's helping out on the marketing end.

“I want to help him get established,” Nathan Mitchell said. “Lyneil's done work on preventing knee injuries in women's basketball. What he's doing is worthwhile.

“If I can help him on the business end, that's great.”

Lyneil Mitchell said the health care system is changing because “more and more people want to get away from sedentary lifestyles.

“Healthy foods, proper diet, wellness, exercise routines ... Physical therapists are qualified in those areas,” he said. “A doctor will tell a patient he needs more exercise, needs to be more active.

“A physical therapist tells the person how to go about it. Both serve a purpose.”