Mike Tschirret
Full Name:  Michel Philip Tschirret
     Born:  August 20, 1935, Lucas, Ohio
     Died:  December 25, 2023, Tallahassee, Fla.
   School:  Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio

Legacy Bricks:  Legacy Walk Map Link
   1998 Swimming & Diving HOF - Loc 54


FSU Career
Swimming & Diving
Year  Pos     Hgt  Wgt  Cl  Ltr  Hometown
53-54 FS      5-11 160  Fr   *   Toledo, OH                      
54-55 FS-FL   5-11 160  So   *   Toledo, OH                      
55-56 FS-FL   5-11 165  Jr   *   Toledo, OH                      
56-57 FS-FL   5-11 165  Sr   *   Toledo, OH                      


Member of the FSU Hall of Fame
Elected into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1998
Mike Tschirret carved his name into the Florida State record books with a remarkable career as a swimmer from 1954-57. Over that four year span, Tschirret posted a 41-4 record that led the Seminoles to two undefeated seasons.

Tschirret grew up in Toledo, Ohio and was recruited by Florida State by legendary coach Bim Stults, who used his roots in nearby Fremont, Ohio, to pry Tschirret away from Ohio State and Columbia. The decision proved to be a great one for both FSU and its new star swimmer as Tschirret would set new school records in the 400 freestyle, 100 and 200 butterfly, 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay over his career. He qualified for the 1956 Olympic Trials finishing seventh in the 100 meter freestyle. As a senior in 1957, Tschirret was selected team captain, was named FSU Most Outstanding Athlete in swimming and earned All-America honors with a top five finish at the national championship.

After a tremendous career at Florida State, Tschirret moved into coaching with stints at Leon, Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan high schools. Over 13 years as a coach, he compiled a 263-27 dual meet record with 15 district championships. He led two teams to state championships and his 1965 Fort Lauderdale boys team was voted the mythical national champions. He was voted Florida Coach of the Year in 1965 and 1969, and national Coach of the Year in 1965.

Once his coaching career was finished Tschirret moved into school administration and later would head the Tallahassee Sports Authority. He remains an accomplished U.S. Master's swimmer, winning the 200 meter butterfly in 1997.


Obituary of Michel Philip Tschirret
Published by Neptune Society

Michel Philip Tschirret (Mike) of Tallahassee Florida, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Mike was preceded in death by his former wife, Patricia McGowan Tschirret. He is survived by his brother Robert (Bob) Tschirret and spouse (Monica) of Toledo, Ohio; his son, Michael James Tschirret (Kim) of Raleigh, North Carolina; his daughter, Kristin Lynn Bortnick (Michael) of Prattville, Alabama; and his grandchildren Chance and Isabel Tschirret.

Michel was born August 20, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to Amil and Laurabel Tschirret. Directly after high school, he attended and graduated from Florida State University, earning an undergraduate degree in journalism. He returned to Ohio and continued his education at Ohio State University where he earned a master’s degree in education. Florida had won his heart, though, and he returned to begin his teaching and coaching career at Leon High School in Tallahassee. From there, he transitioned to Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale and then to Fort Lauderdale High School teaching History and journalism and coaching swimming. Mike served as Assistant Principal at high schools throughout the Fort Lauderdale area before retiring from Western High School after a 35-year career. Teaching and coaching were his passion, and he was beloved by students, athletes, and colleagues.

Mike was an All-American swimmer at FSU and was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1998. He was an avid FSU fan, and garnet and gold flowed through his veins. His delight at watching the Seminoles defeat any opponent was only surpassed by his delight in spending time with his children and grandchildren.



FSU Statistics
Swimming & Diving
   Date    Opponent/Meet                  Event                         Place  Results Points
---------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ----- -------- ------
            1954 Season
01/14/1954 Georgia                        440-Yard Freestyle              1    5:25.5    5.00
01/14/1954 Georgia                        220-Yard Freestyle              3              1.00
02/02/1954 Texas A&M                      220-Yard Freestyle              1    2:23.7    5.00
02/19/1954 Georgia Tech                   220-Yard Freestyle              1    2:21.7    5.00
02/19/1954 Georgia Tech                   400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:47.2    1.75
02/20/1954 Northeast Louisiana            440-Yard Freestyle              1              5.00
03/03/1954 Kentucky                       50-Yard Freestyle               3              1.00
03/03/1954 Kentucky                       400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:39.9    1.75
            1955 Season
01/13/1955 Georgia                        200-Yard Freestyle              1    2:03.2    5.00
01/13/1955 Georgia                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:43.0    1.75
01/31/1955 Southern Methodist             220-Yard Freestyle              3              1.00
01/31/1955 Southern Methodist             440-Yard Freestyle              2              3.00
02/01/1955 Texas A&M                      220-Yard Freestyle              3              1.00
02/01/1955 Texas A&M                      440-Yard Freestyle              2              3.00
02/10/1955 Georgia Tech                   150-Yard Individual Medley      1    1:39.7    5.00
02/10/1955 Georgia Tech                   400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:40.0    1.75
02/12/1955 Southern Intercollegiate       1650-Yard Freestyle             3              4.00
02/12/1955 Southern Intercollegiate       150-Yard Individual Medley      4              3.00
02/12/1955 Southern Intercollegiate       440-Yard Freestyle              5              2.00
02/19/1955 Georgia                        200-Yard Freestyle              1    2:20.9    5.00
03/19/1955 Florida AAU                    440-Yard Freestyle              3              3.00
            1956 Season
01/11/1956 Georgia                        440-Yard Freestyle              1              5.00
01/27/1956 Southern Methodist             220-Yard Freestyle              2              3.00
01/27/1956 Southern Methodist             440-Yard Freestyle              3              1.00
02/06/1956 Vanderbilt                     100-Yard Freestyle              1      55.9    5.00
02/06/1956 Vanderbilt                     400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    4:05.4    1.75
02/11/1956 Georgia Tech                   440-Yard Freestyle              1    5:17.6    5.00
02/17/1956 Florida                        300-Yard Medley Relay           1    3:00.5    1.25
02/17/1956 Florida                        100-Yard Freestyle              2              3.00
02/17/1956 Florida                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:40.4    1.25
02/21/1956 Miami                          300-Yard Medley Relay           1    3:07.7    1.25
02/21/1956 Miami                          100-Yard Freestyle              1      54.5    5.00
02/23/1956 Georgia                        300-Yard Medley Relay           1    3:02.0    1.25
02/23/1956 Georgia                        100-Yard Freestyle              3              1.00
02/23/1956 Georgia                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1              1.25
02/25/1956 Georgia AAU                    400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:38.5    1.25
03/17/1956 Florida AAU                    100-Yard Freestyle              5T             1.50
03/17/1956 Florida AAU                    220-Yard Freestyle              5              2.00
03/17/1956 Florida AAU                    400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:30.8    1.50
            1957 Season
01/10/1957 Georgia                        400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:09.0    1.75
01/10/1957 Georgia                        200-Yard Butterfly              1    2:46.0    5.00
01/12/1957 Emory                          400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:09.1    1.75
01/19/1957 Georgia Tech                   400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:16.7    1.75
01/19/1957 Georgia Tech                   200-Yard Butterfly              3              1.00
02/06/1957 Texas A&M                      400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:10.0    1.75
02/06/1957 Texas A&M                      400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:40.9    1.75
02/08/1957 Southern Methodist             200-Yard Butterfly              3              1.00
02/19/1957 Florida                        400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:07.4    1.75
02/19/1957 Florida                        200-Yard Butterfly              3              1.00
02/19/1957 Florida                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:36.0    1.75
02/22/1957 Georgia                        400-Yard Medley Relay           1    4:03.5    1.75
02/22/1957 Georgia                        200-Yard Butterfly              1    2:36.0    5.00
02/22/1957 Georgia                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:37.4    1.75
02/23/1957 Georgia AAU                    400-Yard Medley Relay           1              1.75
02/23/1957 Georgia AAU                    200-Yard Butterfly              2              4.00
02/23/1957 Georgia AAU                    400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:36.2    1.75
02/25/1957 Miami                          400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:37.7    1.75
03/09/1957 Florida                        200-Yard Butterfly              3              1.00
03/09/1957 Florida                        400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:37.5    1.75
03/16/1957 Florida AAU                    100-Yard Butterfly              4              2.00
03/16/1957 Florida AAU                    400-Yard Freestyle Relay        1    3:37.2    1.75