Mike Purzycki

Michael S. Purzycki (born 1945) is an American businessman and politician currently serving as the 56th Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to serving as Mayor, Purzycki served as the executive director of the Riverfront Development Corporation and helped redevelop the Wilmington Riverfront. Originally from Newark, Delaware, Purzycki attended the University of Delaware and had a short National Football League career for the New York Giants in the 1967–1968 season. Early life Purzycki was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1945. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in 1963 and received a football scholarship to the University of Delaware. While at the University of Delaware, he played football for four years and set every Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football receiving record. Purzycki graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in history. After college, Purzycki signed a contract to play for the New York Giants in the National Football League for the 1967–1968 season; however, his football career was cut short by injury. In 1968, Purzycki moved to Delaware. After moving to Delaware, Purzycki worked in real estate and attended Delaware Law School at night. Purzycki graduated from law school and was admitted to the Delaware bar. He would serve as an attorney for the Delaware Senate and would continue to practice law for more than a decade. Political career In 1982, Purzycki was elected to the New Castle Council. While serving on County Council, Purzycki spent nine years as Chairman of the council's Finance Committee and wrote the legislation that would become Delaware's first ethics law.