Biography

In 1987 the Red Rocketeers entered the season full of optimism with the entire starting backfield returning from the '86 season. Led by the superb blocking of senior tri-captain Mike Sullivan at tackle, the Rocketeers rushed for 1,845 yards and averaged 5+ yards per carry that season, many of those by fellow Hall of Farner Mark Newport. "For an offensive lineman, he had very good quickness and he ran well", stated head coach Ray Beaupre.

At 6'2 and 200 lbs, Sully was also a two-year starter on defense who made 52 tackles and assisted on 34 others during his junior and senior seasons. In two heart-breaking losses to Canton and Foxboro in '87, Sullivan and Hall of Fame linebacker Keith Meyer kept North's hopes alive with a tremendous defensive effort, before falling 12-7 and 6-0 respectively to the two eventual super bowl participants. Never was he more dominant than in his final tilt against Attleboro, when he led a defense that sacked QB Jim Hanewich 3 times "while putting more pressure on the gifted passer than any other opponent that season". The result was a 34-0 victory, and the worst defeat ever in the then 67-year rivalry.

An assistant coach at the time, Paul Sullivan had high praise for Mike. "When I think of all the athletes I've coached in high school, Mike was amongst a handful that combined the qualities of power, athleticism, intelligence, work ethic, and a team-first attitude". Sully had a high appreciation for the fundamentals, and it was this devotion to details that earned him accolades at the season's end. He was named to The Sun Chronicle, Hockomock League, Boston Herald and Boston Globe All Star Teams.

Mike was also the North High Spring Track team MVP in 1988, where he helped lead the team to the Hockomock League title while capturing the state's Division III Discuss title. Mike continued his football playing career at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where he earned 4 varsity letters and was named to the NESCAC League All Star Team as a guard in 1991.