The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 61 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? instilled that in me. I think about how to treat people, and that included your teammates and your fans, and just peo- ple in general. The way he handled his love for people [stood out]." The Amine wrestling lineage did not stop with Mike and Sam. Mike Amine's two sons, Malik and Myles, and Sam's son, Jordan, all wrestled for the U-M program. Malik was a two-time NCAA qualifier (2015-19) and works at Wealth Strategies Financial Group full-time and as a wrestling announcer for Big Ten Network. Myles is a graduate senior this season with no shortage of acco- lades, headlined by a bronze medal rep- resenting San Marino in the 2020 Sum- mer Olympics. Jordan (2014-18) is now a loan officer for Union Home Mortgage Corp. out of Brighton, Mich. "As a father and mother, we're proud parents," Mike Amine said. "We're so proud of both Malik, who is now on the Big Ten Network commentating, and Myles who could be one of the best wrestlers to come out of the program as a four-time All-American, Big Ten cham- pion and the first-ever Olympic bronze medalist for the University of Michigan in the sport of freestyle wrestling. There are a lot of firsts for him. He's a Ross School of Business grad as well." There are plenty of legacy families in the realm of college athletics, but there likely are not many that can match three generations of Olympic experience. Mike Amine and his family recognize how spe- cial an occurrence this has been, but gives all credit back to the people and the place that cultivated the growth mindset. "I think we're extremely grateful to our community and to our family," he reflected. "I always say that Myles' medal belongs to Michigan. It belongs to Brighton. It belongs to his family. Ev- erybody was a part of that. "Sometimes the time we remember the most is when things don't go well. Some- times, the darkest chambers are suffering losses. We always want to give the credit to the community that surrounds us — our friends, our relatives, our fans. "To me, that's kind of what allows us to continue to be Michigan men and Wolverines. We really are grateful for the community that surrounds us and the coaching staff." At the end of the day, wrestling and competition are finite. There has to be a path forward for the future, and the Amines are believers in setting them- selves up for success down the road. It is why a premium was always placed on academics inside the Amine household. "I always tell the guys [that is impor- tant]" Amine said. "I used to remem- ber as a camp counselor I told them you have to be a student first and an athlete second. Not vice versa. Especially if you attend the University of Michigan or a Big Ten school, for that matter. That is truly where you have to be a student and you have to apply yourself as a student. "You have to put the same amount of ef- fort, if not more effort, into the classroom as you do on the field. I would also say life after athletics, the next chapter. When I'm helping recruit, you have to think about life after you close that chapter. That is why it is important to be a student first." ❑ The Amine family — from left to right, Malik, Mike, Marcy, Marissa and Myles — has estab- lished a legacy at the University of Michigan that spans more than three decades. PHOTO COURTESY MIKE AMINE The Mike Amine File Michigan Accomplishments: NCAA finalist (1988), four-year letterwinner and team captain at the University of Michigan. Professional Accomplishments: Olympic alternate on 1992 U.S. Team… Managing partner and founder of Wealth Strategies Financial Group out of Southfield, Mich. Michigan Memory: "I have a couple of favorite memories. Meeting my wife in Dooley's Bar in 1986 because that's where it all began. That was one of my fond- est memories because while I was working, I had an opportunity to meet her in 1986, and we've been married for 31 years. "The second one was representing the University of Michigan in the NCAA finals and having my parents in the stands. Looking at them and seeing the look in their eyes and just showing how grateful I was for the way that they raised me. And wearing the Michigan uniform." Favorite Spot On Campus: "I would have to say the Union is probably my fa- vorite spot. That area by Angell Hall and that corner right there, up and down the block there. The Union onto State Theatre just makes me feel like I have a sense of belonging and that I never want to leave. And part of the reason why I didn't leave [laughs]. I wanted to be close to campus." Education: Graduated in 1989 with a degree in sports management and com- munications. Family: Married to Marcy Amine with two sons (Malik, Myles) and one daughter (Marissa).