Spartanburg Day School

Accomplished athlete and Griffin "lifer" Mike Stratford '01 was inducted into Spartanburg Day School's Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities Friday evening. 

The Hall of Fame was established in 2003 with the purpose of recognizing alumni and coaches who have achieved outstanding athletic accomplishments and/or have made significant contributions to Spartanburg Day School athletics. Stratford was introduced by nominator and older brother Bill Stratford '99.

Mike Stratford began participating in SDS athletics in the sixth grade as a member of the Junior Varsity baseball and soccer teams. He was a four-year starter for the varsity soccer team, and the starting goal keeper his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Stratford was named team captain and helped lead the team to the conference tournament and state tournament finals. He was named team MVP and earned All Conference honors. 

He was also a four-year starter at short stop for the varsity baseball team. He was a two-time team captain and a two-time team MVP. His senior year as team captain, Stratford helped lead the Griffins to a 17-2 record, the conference tournament championship, and the state championship – the first in Griffins' history.  

Additionally, Stratford was a two-year member and two-year starter on the varsity basketball team. 

Upon graduation from SDS, Stratford was awarded the Dent Athletic Award and Groblowski Cup for leadership.

Stratford attended Limestone College on a soccer scholarship and graduated in 2005. As a four-year starter at goal keeper for the Saints men's soccer team, he recorded more than 100 saves in each of his four years. He still holds the top four spots for most saves during a single season. He is the all-time career leader in saves with 469 and ranks second all-time in career wins. During his tenure, he was twice named team captain. He was honored as the Satins defensive player of the year during his junior year, and as a senior was named team MVP. In 2014, Mike was named to The saints Team of the decade, and one of the 30 most influential players in the history of the program.

Mike now resides in Duncan with his wife, Samantha, and their two sons, Cullen (8) and Davis (3). He has spent the last 10 years in the medical sales industry and coaches Cullen's soccer team with the Carolina Football Club.