Born and raised in Union, New Jersey, Mike Furiness wrestled at Seton Hall Prep School, where he was a three-year varsity starter and captain for coach Fred Pierro. Furiness was a district champion, regional finalist and a state qualifier. 

He went on to be a four-year varsity starter for both Dick Besnier and Ed Steers at the College of William and Mary. A team captain as a junior and senior, Furiness was a Southern Conference champion and qualified for the NCAA championships while also being at two-time Virginia Intercollegiate champion. 

Following graduation, Furiness was hired by York County Public Schools to teach psychology, health, physical education and driver’s education while also serving as the York High School wrestling coach for 17 years. He had a 162-66-5 career record and led his teams to Top 10 finishes in the Group AA state wrestling tournament in 12 of his 17 years. 

Furiness retired as a coach and became an official with the Peninsula Wrestling Officials Association in 1994. In seven years as an official, he officiated at all three levels of Virginia’s state wrestling tournaments. 

He was hired as the athletic director for Bruton High School in 2004 and remained in that role until 2007 when he retired after 30 years of service with the York County Public Schools. 

Furiness was inducted into the Seton Hall Prep Athletic Hall of Fame on October 19, 2006.