Mike Scarpelli was a native of Spokane, Washington who was the third of five sons born to Francis and Irene Scarpelli. Mike grew up in the Gonzaga Neighborhood of Spokane. He attended St. Alysious Grammer School and Gonzaga High School, where he was student body president. While at Gonzaga, he was a star athlete in football and baseball. He graduated and was awarded a four year scholarship to Notre Dame University in Indiana. When he was at Notre Dame, he was one of the few athletes in the history of the school to earn a varsity letter as a freshman. He was sprinter and broke the tape for the Irish at some of the great field houses of the Midwest. He is a Life Member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
He finished his college education at the University of San Francisco on a baseball scholarship. He was the president of the University of San Francisco Athletic Association and President of the Block Club. After graduation, Mike attended UC Hastings College of Law for two years and then accepted an Executive Position with San Jose Cannery Company as an extended member of the Rancadore and Lo Bue Family. This was a natural career choice. After the cannery was sold, Mike opened Mike Scarpelli Records on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen. He was a successful Lincoln Avenue merchant for over 17 years. He finished his career path with TransAmerica Title Company for 8 years.Â
