SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Michael Graham '01

Literally, he was a kid who could play any sport he wanted, and play them well. Mike came to Sidney by way of Goshen NY in fifth grade. He arrived with experience in travel soccer then added baseball and basketball to his youth sports resume in Sidney.

By his modified years, Mike was already a varsity member of the tennis and soccer teams. In 7th grade, he teamed with Mark Porter to win a league tennis doubles crown. He'd play for three seasons before switching to track. His soccer skills were good enough to earn a varsity spot, a first at Sidney. The main benefit, aside from being widely accepted by the upperclassmen, was that Mike and older brother Tommy would be teammates for two very successful seasons. By the time he graduated, younger brother had established Sidney career records in goals (42) and assists (38).

Similar success came in basketball. Mike earned a spot on a varsity team as just a freshman - another Sidney first. He learned the art of being a spark off the bench for the 1997-98 NYS champion Warriors. He described it as a foreshadowing to his college experience. The next three seasons he was a fixture in the backcourt. Mike helped lead Sidney back to the Final Four as a junior, then scored his 1,000 point during his MVP senior season - the last with Sidney in the Susquenango League. He is still Sidney's second all-time leading scorer behind teammate Eric Miley.

As mentioned, Mike moved to track for his spring sport of choice by his sophomore year. His 3-man 110 meter shuttle relay team (with Josh DuMond and Adam Farrell) set the existing school record of 48.7 seconds in 2001.

Amid tremendous speculation as to what college would add Mike Graham to its roster, he chose Williams College (MA) which he admitted "was not on my radar". But thanks to a neighbor's recommendation and a connection with his eventual coach, all the pieces fell into place. It was indeed a perfect fit. Mike's first three seasons were (again) spent as a super sub off the bench.

What a 4-year run! After a Division III Elite 8 finish in his freshman year, Mike and the Ephs went the distance to become National Champions in 2002-03. Their record of 31-1 included a finishing streak of 17 straight wins. That was followed by a runner up finish the next season. As rewarding as his collegiate basketball career was, Mike needed to look at a career off the court. Thanks to local contacts and the experience of playing for tough coaches, he landed a position in finance with Bear Stearns for two years. Currently, he is head of US High Yield for AXA Investment Managers.

He now joins 2001 SCS classmates Lindsay Hinsch Drake and Chad Smith as members of the Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.