Mike Mazurski was a multi-sport standout at Manhattan, highlighted by excelling as a member of the men's basketball. He was named as the "Best Athlete" by his senior class, before embarking on impressive professional career. Mazurski played professional basketball and was a professional wrestler, before taking his talents to the big screen. He appeared in over 100 films, and made guest appearances on many popular television shows. In 1965, he co-founded and became the first president of the Cauliflower Alley Club, an association of professional wrestlers, and was posthumously awarded the New York State Award in 2005 by the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum for founding the club