A 1954 graduate of Fordham College at Rose Hill with a degree in Sociology, Michael Debany is one of the most prolific tennis players in Fordham history, compiling a remarkable 89-1 record in his four-year career.
 
Debany arrived at Fordham as a freshman in 1950 after an undefeated senior season at Trinity Episcopal School where he won the New York Private School Championship. Recruited to Rose Hill by Rev. Vincent Hopkins, S.J. (the tennis moderator) and John "Pat" Rooney (then head coach at Fordham Prep), he turned down scholarship offers from five other schools to attend Fordham. He immediately played at first singles and doubles, winning every match in both in his rookie campaign and then winning the 1951 Westchester County Men's Singles Championship. He also played first singles and doubles as a sophomore, losing on one match all year (only loss in his career).
 
As a junior in 1953-54, Debany was named a team MVP as he again went undefeated at both first singles and first doubles, a feat he repeated as a senior. He was also named team MVP as a senior but declined the award in order to recognize a teammate for his accomplishments.

Debany also played on the squash team from his sophomore through senior years.
 
Following graduation, Debany was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In l955 he won the First Army Singles Championship and was named a team captain for the team that played in the National All-Army Championship, finishing as the runner-up in the singles championship.