Mike was a 1976 graduate of Colbert Heights High School where he was a two year letter-man in both football and basketball for the Wildcats. He was outstanding in football playing quarterback on offense and safety on defense as well as handling all the kicking duties. While being an important contributor in football, it was basketball in which he helped to lead the Wildcats to the most storied two year stretch in the school's basketball history. During Mike's junior year he averaged 14.5 points per game as Colbert Heights finished 29-3 for the season and was runner-up in 2A State Tournament, Mike was All-County, All-Area, All-Region, and All-State during the 1975 season. The next year in 1976 the Wildcats returned to the state tournament and Mike was instrumental in the teams' winning the 2A state title. In the semi-final game against Francis Marion High School he scored 12 of the 15 points in triple overtime in order to get to the finals. That year Mike averaged 15.4 points per game, was again All-County, All-Area, All-Region, and was chosen the Most Valuable Player of the State Tournament. After high school Mike began to play golf in 1976, winning several local golf tournaments including the TVCC Club Championship and the Jim Bishop Invitational. Mike received a scholarship to play golf for the University of North Alabama in 1980 and 1981.