 Dick was an outstanding athlete for Fenwick in the start-up years of the school. He competed in football and track, beginning as a sophomore on Fenwick's first football team. Just getting enough uniforms, pads, and helmets was a chore, not to mention finding transportation for the team to the away football games. Dick also was on Fenwick's first track & field team.
On the football team Dick was a sure tackler for the linebacker position on defense and a hard running halfback for the offense. He scored 10 touchdowns his senior year, averaging over 7 yards per carry. The 1954 team was the first team in Fenwick history with a winning record, finishing 5-4. Dick was selected co-captain for his senior year.
There were no league or district awards available at this time but Dick did receive All-State Honorable Mention in the Class B division for the Associated Press. He was also chosen as an alternate for the North-South All-Star football game. He received the Armco Athletic award in 1955, given to the top senior athlete at Fenwick. Fenwick's first football coach, Barney Otten, has said that Dick was one of his best players during his tenure at Fenwick.
Dick also competed in track and field, running the 440 and various relays, plus he threw the discus. His best time with 54 seconds in the 440, which was a record for a short time. He also briefly held the record for the discus with a throw of over 130 feet.
Upon graduation from Fenwick Dick attended Bowling Green University, getting a degree in Liberal Arts. He also has a Masters in Education from Xavier University. After spending a few years as a Juvenile Probation Officer and a Math Teacher, Dick settled into a career in the information technology field for some 30 plus years.
Mike is married to his wife Gayle and they have three children; Mike, Wendy, and Jim. They have two grandchildren, who affectionately call him "papa." They split their time between a home in Tucker, GA, near their children and grandchildren, and another home in Crescent Beach, Florida, near the beach.
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