Titan Memories: Mike Tansley – All-American

7/30/2025 10:43:00 AM | By: Kirk San Roman

Mike Tansley is a name that may not be immediately familiar to you. But in the annals of Cal State Fullerton Cross Country and Track & Field, Tansley ranks at the uppermost point of the program's pyramid, having earned 1994 All-American honors in the Steeplechase, and was back-to-back Big West Men's Cross Country champion in 1992 and 1993, and Big West Men's Steeplechase champion in 1992 and 1994, to name just a few of his many accolades.

Tansley first came onto the radar of legendary Titan head coach John Elders during his sophomore year of high school, and CSUF was the first college to reach out to him. The Dana Hills High School product would go on to win the state cross country championship with his Dolphin teammates in 1989.

In addition to Cal State Fullerton, Mike was recruited by USC, Arkansas, Point Loma, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Remembering West Point, Tansley joked, "I might have blown that opportunity."

Tansley would eventually select Northern Arizona University, even signing a Letter of Intent. Mike explained: "I backed out the day before I was supposed to head out there. Ultimately, I was already homesick just thinking about how far away I would be from family, friends, and the things that made me happy, so I made the tough decision to stay in California.

"After I backed out, it was too late to go anywhere else on such short notice, so I attended Long Beach City College for one year. Cal State Fullerton never gave up on me, and after speaking with Coach Elders, I decided to transfer to Fullerton.

"At that point, I was hungry to compete at a D1 university, and thought I could really put Fullerton on the map if I reached my potential. I felt like it was meant to be. They really wanted me and never stopped recruiting me. I liked that effort."

Plagued by a minor but nagging injury, it was agreed that Tansley would redshirt in 1991, allowing him to better acclimate himself to the more rigorous training regimen required at the D1 level.

Beginning in 1992, Tansley would excel in cross country and track & field for the Titans. Tansley won the 1992 Big West men's cross country championship with a time of 25:53:00. He would go on to obliterate his previous 8k winning time with a 24:38:00 showing in 1993, earning back-to-back Big West championships.

While at LBCC, Tansley was introduced to the Steeplechase event, which consists of 28 fixed barriers and seven water jumps. Tansley would win the Big West men's championship in 1992 and again in 1994. His 1994 school-record time of 8:41:27 still stands after over 30 years.

At the 1994 NCAA Championships held in Boise, ID, Mike would finish 6^th in the nation in the Steeplechase, earning All-American honors.

Coach Elders would say, "Mike was a tenacious competitor. When he stood on the line, there was no doubt that you were going to get his absolute best. He was always able to grind it out and perform at a high level."

When asked what some of his favorite memories as a Titan student were, Mike replied: "I really enjoyed basketball games in Titan Gym. My greatest memory was when the Titans beat one of the best teams in the nation, UNLV, 84-83 at the buzzer. We stormed the court, and I happened to be in a picture in the Daily Titan, jumping with excitement. Our team was stacked, and we had one future NBA standout, Bruce Bowen, who ended up being one of the fiercest defenders and best 3-point shooters in the NBA." (Note: The author of this story was also at that famous game).

When asked if there was anyone that he wanted to acknowledge or thank, Tansley was quick to answer: "I've always wanted to thank the counselors and staff at Fullerton who helped me along the way. I always said that I would repay them somehow. Perhaps this is it?

"Coach Elders and my teammate Steve 'Tiny' Frisone are two lifelong friends that I've gained from my time at CSUF. Elders will never know the profound impact he had on me as an athlete, but more importantly, as a human being. He was a successful coach because he was able to connect to athletes in his own unique way. I bought into (Elders) almost instantly, and I can't put a price on what a great leader he was, and how he still influences me to this day.

"I consider Steve Frisone my best friend, and we still talk and hang out, when life permits, even to this day. 'Tiny," a nickname I laughingly gave him, was an intense competitor, and some of my best memories are of the battles we had on the basketball court at his house – Elbows were thrown and noses bloodied," he said with a laugh.

"Steve trained hard and outworked everyone. That motivated me to work even harder."

Tansley saved his best memories for last: "She's not a teammate or coach, but the most influential person in my life is my wife, Marina. We met in an acting class at CSUF when I was a junior and she was a freshman. I still remember vividly the first time I saw her walk into class. I was with a teammate, Tom Casto, and I was just enamored with her. We began dating a few weeks later and never looked back.

"Marina is truly the rock in my life. She supported me in everything I did and was my biggest cheerleader during my running career. To say that she played a major role in becoming the man I am today would be an understatement. I knew very soon that I would spend the rest of my life with her."

For the last 17 years, Tansley has been an elementary school librarian at Chámmakilawish Pechanga School in Temecula, Calif. He also currently serves as an assistant cross country and track coach at Great Oak High School in Temecula.

"Coaching is the most rewarding job I've ever had," said Tansley. "I truly enjoy passing on my knowledge of running to all the athletes, as well as teaching them how to be successful young men and women in life."

Mike Tansley lives in Temecula with his wife, Marina. Their daughter, Maya, is 21 years old, and their 18-year-old son, Michael, is currently attending Cal State Fullerton.

Coach Elders added, "I'm grateful that Mike and I have maintained a relationship over the years. I'm proud of the man he is today, and the wonderful husband and Dad that he is. I truly value the friendship I share with him and his lovely wife, Marina. I'm also very proud to say that he's a loyal, sold-out Cal State Fullerton Titan."

Tansley summed things up, "I truly enjoyed being with all of my Titan teammates," he said. "They were all very supportive and kept me wanting to do better for the team."

Honors