Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2019
Mathyas Michael set the school record in the 800 at 1:47.44 in 1970 and that mark still stands today.
In 1969 and 1970, he captured CCAA titles in both the 880 and mile and claimed NCAA Division II national titles in the 880 in both 1969 and 1970. He also finished fifth in the NCAA Division I 880 in 1970 with his school-record time.
In the fall of 1969, Michael won the CCAA individual title in cross country and led Cal Poly to its first-ever cross country team title.
He represented his native Ethiopia in the 1968 Summer Olympic Games as a 17-year-old in the 800 and 1,500 and held the Ethiopian 800-meter record from 1968 through 1972.
He was a poultry industry major at Cal Poly and obtained his bachelor's degree in physical education at Pacific, where he also competed in cross country and track and field.
Michael has played a pivotal role in developing and promoting adult and youth soccer in Stockton. He was a founding member, coach, referee and player of Stockton United Soccer Club from 1978-2007 and served as a Grade 1 Referee in the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1974-2007, also receiving numerous awards for contributions to the Stockton referee's association.
Michael has served as a coach in the Stockton Youth Soccer League and Stockton Paralympic Games. He also has played a very active role in promoting community and cultural development in the San Joaquin/Bay Area Ethiopian community.
He was a plant supervisor for the Safeway Meat Processing Plant from 1973 until his retirement in 1998.
