Mike Durkin was a nine-time Big Ten Champion and six-time All-American as one of the elite middle-distance runners in conference history. He qualified for the 1976 Olympics in the 1,500 meters but missed advancing from the first round by one-tenth of a second, setting the Olympic record for fastest non-qualifier in history. He finished third at the 1980 Olympic Trials to earn the final spot in the 1,500 on the Olympic team, but the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Games in Moscow. Durkin would finish third in the 1,500-meters at the Liberty Bell Classic, which was held as an alternative to the boycotted Olympics. Durkin also earned All-America honors in cross country. At the NCAA Indoor Championships, he finished fifth in the 1000M in 1972, fourth in the 1000M in 1973, second in the mile in 1974, and fifth in the Distance Medley Relay in 1975. His top NCAA Outdoor Championship finish was eighth in the 1,500 in 1972 while taking 11th in the mile in 1974. Durkin’s Big Ten titles came in the 1975 indoor mile, outdoor 880 yards and steeplechase, 1974 indoor mile and two-mile, and outdoor mile, 1973 indoor mile, and the 1972 indoor 1,000 yards and outdoor mile. Durkin's rare double of winning the 880y and steeplechase just minutes apart was a key element in helping the Illini take the 1975 team Big Ten title and further cemented his stature as a consummate team player. As a senior in 1975, Durkin ran a sub-four minute mile at a race in Wichita, Kan.