Mike used everything he learned from wrestling and applied it as a Marine Corps officer, a “Top Gun” backseater, a 21-year volunteer wrestling coach, and as a 20-year volunteer Admissions Liaison Officer for the U. S. Naval Academy.

Following several years of Judo, he had a seven year wrestling career:  He was an undefeated Dade County Junior High Champion and had an impressive record at Miami Palmetto Senior High, placing 4th at the State tournament as Captain of his State Championship team in 1974.  Wrestling at the U. S. Naval Academy Prep School, Mike went 7-1 before earning an appointment to the Naval Academy.  There, he made a pivotal move to the sport of Collegiate Boxing where he excelled. Mike was a two-time Naval Academy Boxing Champion and was selected as the Academy’s “Outstanding Boxer” his senior year in 1979.

Upon graduation, Mike was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the U. S. Marine Corps and chose Fighter Aviation as his specialty. He trained as a backseater (Naval Flight Officer) and served in the F-4 Phantom and the F/A-18D Hornet.  Mike’s callsign was “Evil Frog.”

Mike graduated from “Top Gun” in 1983 flying the F-4 Phantom throughout the Western Pacific theater.  In 1989, he transitioned to the new 2-seat version of the F/A-18D Hornet.  In 1991, “Evil Frog” flew 66 combat missions as an airborne Forward Air Controller during “Operation Desert Storm.”  Three separate times he was awarded for personal valor over heavily defended Kuwait.  Other awards received include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with “V” and gold star in lieu of 2nd award, the Air Medal w/ strike numeral “6,” and the Commendation Medal with “V.”

After Desert Storm, Mike earned his Gold Parachutist Wings (40 jumps) while serving as the Executive Officer of 1st ANGLICO at Camp Pendleton, CA.  His final tour of duty was at MCAS Miramar as the Program Director of a classified Advanced Tactics Training Program for five F/A-18 squadrons. Mike flew a total of over 3,000 accident-free flight hours throughout his 20-year career and retired as a Major in 1999.

A loyal volunteer, he has been the Assistant Coach at Mariner High since 2003, first under Coach Dave Phillips (Class of 2022) and currently under Coach Clay French.

Mike and his beautiful wife Elsa have been married 39 years and are the proud parents of Kurt (Karlee), Vanessa (JC), and Michael (Brittany).  They have 8 grandchildren – The Real Gold Medal.