The following information was obtained and compiled by the Humboldt State University Public Affairs Office. This information was used during Mike's induction into the HSU Hall of Fame.
The following information was obtained and compiled by the Humboldt State University Public Affairs Office. This information was used during Mike's induction into the HSU Hall of Fame.
Mike was born on Septembers the 10th, 1950, in Scotia, California. He is the son of Charles and
Kay Bettiga of Rio Dell. Mike attended both Scotia and Rio Dell Elementary Schools,
graduation from the latter in 1964. He attended Fortuna High School and graduated in 1968.
While at Fortuna, he was a member of the basketball and track teams. In basketball he was
voted "Mr. Hustle" and had a career high 22 points against Hoopa. In track he set two county
records and was All-County twice. At the end of his senior year he was voted the most
outstanding male athlete at Fortuna.
After graduating, Mike enrolled at College of the Redwoods and was a member of their football,
basketball and track teams. On the football field, he was an All-Conference wide receiver and a
member of the Undefeated State Championship Team of 1970. In the Championship game he
was voted the most outstanding lineman, catching 7 passes for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns. He
played 2 years on the basketball team averaging 14.4 points a game and was voted unanimous
All-Conference and MVP his sophomore year. He still holds the record for the best field goal %
in a game. During the 1970 season, he hit 14 out of 15 attempts from the floor and was 1 of 1
from the free throw line in a game against Lassen College, scoring a career high of 29 points and
finishing as the schools's all-time Leading Scorer. He is a members of the school's All-Decade
Team of the 1970's. In track, Mike was twice All-Conference and ended his career fifth in the
120 yard high hurdles at the State Meet. Mike graduated with an A.A. degree from College of
the Redwoods in 1970. That same year he was voted Northwestern California Athlete of the
Years. He was inducted into College of the Redwood's Hall of Fame in 1990.
Enrolling in Humboldt State the next year, Mike played on the Lumberjack's Football,
basketball and track teams, earning All-Conference 3 times and twice All-American. He was
voted All-Conference and the Most Valuable Player on the football team, was a starter on the
basketball team and had a career high 18 points against San Francisco State. On the track, he
was twice All-Conference and two-time All-American, In 1972, at the N.C.A.A. College Track
and Field Championships held at Ashland, Ohio, Mike was the National Champion in the 110
meter high hurdles setting a National Collegiate Record of 13.8 seconds which is still the
Lumberjack's School record for the event. He was invited to try out for the U.S.A. Summer
Olympic team in 1972. Drafted by the San Francisco 49'sers later that year, Mike opted to play
professional football. He played three years with the 49'ers before suffering a career ending
injury.
Mike graduated from Humboldt State in 1975 with a B. A. Degree, majoring in physical
education and minoring in history. In 1994 he was inducted in Humboldt State's Hall of Fame.
Mike's teaching and coaching experience began at College of the Redwoods. In 1973 and 1974,
he as assistant track coach when Redwoods won back to back Conference Championships.
Moving to Fortuna High School in 1975, he has served as track, football, basketball and tennis
coach. He has coached on North Coast Section Championship teams and coached All-County
Champions. His girls basketball teams have advanced to the North Coact Section Championship
in his first three years as coach.
