Michael distinguished himself as an outstanding multi-sport
athlete at Columbus Unified High School from 1970-1974. During his high school sports career he achieved 1st Team All
Southeast Kansas League honors in football, he was a three year starter for the Titan basketball team, and he was a record
setting track athlete. Michael was the starting quarterback at Columbus for three years winning All-SEK honors his junior
and senior seasons. One of the highlights of his high school career was defeating 2nd ranked Pittsburg with a thrilling
game winning drive to secure the 1973 Coal Bucket victory. He also engineered a fourth quarter comeback against 5th
ranked Fort Scott and was named the Pittsburg Morning Sun Player of the Week for his efforts. Michael placed third in
the state indoor track meet in both the 440 yard dash and 880 yard run as a junior, and he was a member of the mile relay
and medley relay team that set school records. After high school Mike attended Ft. Scott Junior College and played football
where he led the Greyhounds to a 7 win 3 loss record during his sophomore year. One of his highlights at Ft. Scott was
a 226 yard passing performance against NEO A&M Junior College. After completing his junior college career, Michael
was recruited to play football by George Seifert (later the head coach of the San Fransisco 49ers) at Cornell University.
During his career at Cornell, Michael was the back-up quarterback for the Ivy League school before his playing career ended
with a knee injury. He completed his college education at Pittsburg State University in 1979 and is currently employed
by the Whirlpool Corporation as a Senior Project Manager. Michael and his wife Kathy (the former Kathy Walkenshaw of
Columbus of Columbus) have two children Mary (O'Malley) Burnett and Daniel O'Malley. The couple now resides in Lee Summit,
Missouri.
