Oct. 15, 2001

By Shawn K. Sullivan

Don't be surprised if the rapping beats of UIC point guard T.J. Mixson infiltrates your FM radio in a few years alongside some of the industry's stars like Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre.

The talented fifth-year senior for Jimmy Collins' squad began has been rapping since he was five on Chicago's South Side at 94th and Calumet.

"I would dance with some neighbors and then I was in a talent show at Simeon High School and did my dancing, while my neighbors played their instruments and we won...and that's how it all started," Mixson said of his performing career.

Mixson, the eldest son of Eddie and Tereca, is often busier than the Dan Ryan on a Friday afternoon. A typical day for Mixson includes: basketball practice, keeping up his 3.90 GPA, spending countless hours on his rapping and spending time with children.

When some hear word of Mixson's musical aspirations, the doubters say it is only a distant dream. But once you get to know Thaddeus James Mixson, you get the feeling he loves to prove the naysayers wrong.

"I just keep a positive attitude," Mixson said. "I have always been told I couldn't do this, I couldn't do that, so I feel like I have to prove all these people wrong."

It is difficult to understand why people continue to label Mixson the underdog as he continues to thrive. Not only is Mixson a leader and solid contributor to the Flames on the court, he is an educator, philanthropist to children and budding music star off the court.

For the past four summers Mixson has worked for summer basketball schools sponsored by the Chicago Bulls. This past summer, his fondness of teaching children led him to coach basketball at the New City YMCA at North & Halsted.

His first love of music, however, is what those closest to him know he will thrive on. Mixson's credentials include playing live shows around the country from Atlanta to California.

Mixson, who performs with the rap group "Do or Die," has frequently played the Chicagoland area, including opening up for one of America's biggest rap acts, "The Ruff Ryders," at Chicago's Biology Bar. Mixson has also entertained big crowds at Governor's State University, Triton College, and right here on the campus of UIC.

"I have a pretty big following," Mixson said. "There were people flying in from Atlanta to see me perform.

"We give you a real show when we perform," Mixson continued. "I have dancers, singers and a hype man to get the crowd going."

Mixson has had several offers to sign contracts with record companies, but has held off that opportunity to finish up his degree and play basketball.

"When I start something, I like to finish it," said Mixson. "I don't want to stereotype rappers, but I want to finish school, get my degree for my parents and finish basketball."

In fact, Mixson has a very good chance of signing a fairly lucrative contract upon graduation, having already had interest from companies like Bad Boy Records and Cream Entertainment, as well as very supportive referrals from stars like Jay-Z.

"I'm almost there," Mixson said. "I have a lot of deals on the table, but I want to finish my degree."

It would be surprising to few if Mixson travels to the top. His resiliency has been second to none throughout his career at UIC.

A role player his first two seasons with UIC, Mixson got his first real shot during his redshirt sophomore campaign. Mixson played in 24 of 31 games, getting the starting nod in 13 of them.

At the beginning of last season, it appeared that Mixson had found his niche into Collins' system with his diligent ball handling and keen passing ability.

When things started looking up, it all fell down on the Thornwood High graduate.

Without even taking a step onto the court in the 2000-2001 campaign, Mixson was diagnosed with a heart condition commonly known as a rapid irregular heartbeat. Physicians searched for the problem and had to perform difficult surgery scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes, but took well over five hours.

"They had to go up through my legs and burn off the bad tissue on my heart," Mixson said. "They had me awake the whole time, it wasn't supposed to take long, but it took almost six hours."

Did it frighten Mixson?

"Oh yeah, it was pretty scary," he said.

But a patented "T.J." comeback was in the works. He worked back into playing shape and once the doctors cleared him to play again, he did so with a vengeance.

But again, adversity would plague Mixson. In that final contest of the season against the Vikings, Mixson tore the meniscus in his right knee, forcing surgery in late May of this year. And once again, Mixson fought his way back to begin preseason workouts preparing for the upcoming season.

Mixson, one of four fifth-year seniors on the Flames, sees attributes of this year's squad similar to the 1997 team when UIC made it's banner run to the "Big Dance."

But before Mixson is inserted into the line-up, he must visit the operating table one more time.

Following an MRI in early October, doctors have decided to go back in and try and repair the damage to his knee. The surgery will keep Mixson out at least one month and maybe more.

But Mixson isn't feeling sorry for himself. He is confident in his abilities, and he is the ultimate optimist. Mixson is already looking ahead to when he gets back on the court to help the Flames get back to the NCAA Tournament.

It's just another hurdle for T.J. Mixson, and for this star rapper, people are already whispering that he can't make it back.

Mixson is grinning and he doesn't mind hearing the whispers. It's just another chance to prove the "haters" wrong.