Mike Gansell was a three-time Most Valuable Player and captain of the Long Island University men's tennis team from 1964-1967. 

Gansell held down the No. 1 singles spot for two seasons and was half of the No. 1 doubles team for three years for the Blackbirds. He went undefeated at home in both singles and doubles for his entire career and helped LIU to a 9-2 record his senior season. 

Also an accomplished paddle tennis player, Gansell defeated a team that included legendary figure Bobby Riggs to claim the National Paddle Tennis Doubles Championship in 1964.