Dr. Michael "Mike" Philip Spino

Dr. Michael Philip Spino, 80, Acworth, GA and Cobb CO. resident since 1980, passed away 12/27/2024. Born August 12, 1944 in Jersey City, and growing up in Lyndhurst, NJ, he was known for his athletic achievements.

He is survived by his wife of over 41 years, Mrs. Priscilla Ann Randall Spino, their children, Dr. Marissa Ann Spino-Keeton, CO, Mr. Christopher Michael Spino, CA, and grandson, Aiden Michael Keeton, CO.

Michael is also survived by his sister Patricia M. Spino Longo, NJ, mother-in-law Peggy Ann Porter Randall, GA, uncles Charles Porter and James “Jim” Childers and aunt Olive Childers in GA, cousins, nieces, nephews-in-law, great-nieces, and great-nephews in NJ and GA.

He was predeceased by his parents Angelo Jack Spino, Margaret H. DeGeorge Spino Strynar, Grandparents Michael and Madelyn Gialorenzo Spino, Philip and Maria Presto DeGeorge, brother-in-law Anthony J. Longo, aunts, uncles, and cousins, NJ, and an aunt and brothers-in-law Chaney E. Randall, Jr. and J. Gregory Randall, GA.

A professor, coach, and author, he’s an inductee of Lyndhurst High School Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball, track, and cross country. Michael graduated Syracuse University, NY as a full scholarship runner, where he still holds the records for the Mile and Two-Mile races. He earned a BA in English with a Minor in History. Michael then trained in CA with LA Track Club and famed Hungarian coach Mihaly Igloi. After he fell short of Olympic dreams, he earned teaching credentials, then taught in private schools where he became a youth track coach. Michael was later mentored and certified in the methods of Australian Olympic coach, Sir Percy Cerutty. He was also Director of The Esalen Sports Center, San Francisco.

Coach Mike’s GA Tech & Life University teams won numerous GA Championships, he was awarded GA Coach of the Year many times, and produced over 100 All-American Athletes honored in both GA Tech’s and Life University’s Athletic Halls of Fame. He coached athletes to the US Olympic Trials and had several national collegiate champions.

He’s the inaugural inductee as Track and Cross Country Head Coach in Life University Athletic Hall of Fame, where he also earned a Masters Degree. Spino supervised the design of the Life U. Olympic standards track and field stadium, hosted 15 countries to train at the track during the ‘96 Olympics, hosted athletes from over 60 countries to compete in two Olympic warm-up meets, brought his teams to 12 National Championships, and was honored as National Coach of the Year numerous times.

For decades, Mike was the GA representative for the US Sports Academy, AL and on the USA Track and Field Association (USATF)-GA Board. Spino was a senior contributor to numerous print publications and blogs. He authored a story that was published often and even used in the SAT exams.

Dr. Spino earned his Ph.D. in Sport Health Science from University of Lille, France. He was a faculty member at GA State University, Kennesaw State University, and Chattahoochee State College, all in GA.

Spino directed the ‘84 Pre-Olympic Camp in Atlanta for the US Information Agency (USIA) Peace Through Sport programs, also seeking support from Mayor Andrew Young and Emory University for the coaches and athletes. He was named the ‘84 National Olympic Coach for the struggling nation of Somalia. He directed, coached, and taught in several United Nations programs for coaches and athletes internationally.

On a visit to Westminster Abbey in London, Michael and Priscilla were blessed with a public prayer from the pulpit for their marriage. Having grown up in the Roman Catholic Church but growing away from it as an older adult, Michael sought to be baptized as a Baptist. He will be missed by his family, friends, former students, and athletes.

Visitation

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, Kennesaw, GA

Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 at 11:30

Funeral service

Winkenhofer Chapel at 1:30

Interment will follow at

Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery, Marietta, GA