This is the third of four profiles about the 2025 inductees of the EMU Athletic Hall of Honor. For more information about the Hall of Honor and a full list of inductees, visit emuroyals.com/honors/hall-of-honor.

Mitchell Leap '12, a health and physical education major, followed in the footsteps of his parents, Bill '86 and Renee Kreider Leap '85, and attended EMU after a successful soccer career at Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, a city he "always liked." His mother has worked in EMU's financial aid office since 1986. "I'd been around EMU all my life, and I thought it would be a good place to continue my education and play soccer." 

During his four years as a forward under head men's soccer coach Roger Mast, Leap was a two-time All-ODAC First Team honoree, earning the distinction in 2009 and 2011, and made the Second Team in 2008. He received VaSID All-State First Team honors in 2011 and VaSID All-State Second Team honors in 2008 and 2009. One of the most prolific scorers in EMU men's soccer history, Leap ranks fourth all-time in the Royals' record book for career goals (35) and fifth for total points (80).

Leap looks back fondly on the tight-knit campus community at EMU. "There's value in attending a place where you feel like you know everybody and everybody knows you." His connection to EMU Men's Soccer continued after graduation: his brother, Parker Leap '16, also played forward for the Royals, and his cousin, Justin Carey MBA '21, has served as head coach since 2022. 

Today, Leap lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, with his wife of nine years, Amber '15, and their three children—Rory (6), Rhema (3), and Mesa (1). He works in full-time ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as area representative for the City of Lynchburg and Amherst County. 

Leap will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. in the MainStage Theater (University Commons 170) during Homecoming 2025. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit emu.edu/homecoming.