Mike grew up in Clinton, MA where his excellence on the football field and in the classroom allowed him to continue his athletic career at Harvard University. 

 

At Harvard he was a standout fullback and together with his brother Steve offered Harvard the renowned “Ernst Brothers” backfield (only brothers to both score a TD in the same game of the famed Harvard-Yale football rivalry).

 

After graduation Mike's love of football and coaching took him to Italy where he was the head coach and general manager of the Rome Gladiators of the Italian-American Football Association.  While in Italy Mike also met and married Christiana, his wonderful wife of 26 years. Together Mike and Christiana ran a European Style Café by the Basilica of St. Peter that has been in Christiana's family for over two generations.  

 

In 1992, the Ernst family grew as Mike and Christiana welcomed their first son, Alfredo into the world. Federico, the couple's second son, was born in 1999. Upon moving back to Clinton to be closer to Mike's parents, Mike and Christiana opened an authentic Italian restaurant in downtown Clinton with the vision of offering local residents a fine dinning option without having to travel to Worcester or Boston.

 

As Mike and Christiana can no longer manage the restaurant, they transitioned over day-to-day operations of the newly opened Clinton's Bar and Grille.

Since his diagnosis in 2013, Mike's condition has progressed where he is steadily losing his independence.  He is wheel chair bound at this time with a continued difficulty communicating verbally.  Anyone who might be in search of inner strength and fortitude would see a clear and vivid representation by simply visiting with Mike at his kitchen table.  

 

Our goal is to give Mike Ernst options to receive the best care as his ALS condition progresses, and to provide support to his family.  We would sincerely appreciate any support to Mike's cause.  

 

Please become a member of Team Ernst and make a difference!