This childhood fascination turned into a professional career when in 1974 he was selected from more than 4,000 applicants to attend the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s world famous Clown College.
While involved in the Parent-Teacher Association in his daughters’ school, the group was searching for a family event that might raise some funds as well. Mike suggested a unique one-ring circus in the high school gym. He put the show together and it was a smash hit, three “sold-out” shows in one day and numerous requests from neighboring schools to host the circus.