Love: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
Wrong.
Love is the last name of the family of aggressive athletes who have been regular fixtures on Southfield High’s varsity rosters for the last decade.
The four love children and their parents have played, coached and watched multiple sports at Southfield High and in the community, but have especially dominated in football and volleyball.
“A family role model for Southfield High School,” is how Athletic Director Thomas Eschmann describes the Loves. “Not only excellent athletes, but wonderful students, also,” he says. “They bring their all in every sport they participate in and have made a huge difference in Southfield High’s athletics.”
Michael Love, Jr.
Oldest son Michael Love, Jr., now 23, was an ultimate Blue Jay who played football, soccer, basketball and ran track while at SHS. He went on to make the Michigan State University football team but broke an arm and did not play. He now plays semi-professional football for the Capital Colts in Lansing.
Aaron Love
Aaron Love, 22, also played the same four varsity sports for SHS and went on to play football for the University of Delaware, where he is a fifth-year senior. He’s an All-American candidate, a punt return specialist and a sure receiver at 5 foot 9 inches and 160 pounds of trouble.
Andrew Love
Andrew Love, 17 and a senior this year, was a wide receiver and kicker for the football team and runs track. He even filled in as quarterback during the state semi-final football game and scored the last touchdown for Southfield High’s most successful football season in Blue Jay history (11-2). Andrew says he, too, hopes to play football in college.
Amanda Love
The baby of the bunch is Amanda Love, who is 15 and a sophomore. She plays three varsity sports: volleyball, basketball and softball and is a co-captain of the Volleyball team. As a small child, she played little league football for the Jayhawks, a boys’ team.
Alisha Love
Their tiny but muscular mother, Alisha Love, coaches the SHS Varsity Volleyball team, teaches aerobics to adults at the Southfield’s Civic Center, and formerly played football for a professional women’s league, the Detroit Dangers.
“We have sports equipment everywhere,” says Mom Love, “in the car, the trunk, the house, – everywhere.”
Michael Love, Sr.
Gearing the family in the right direction is father Michael Love, who played football, soccer and baseball at Detroit Henry Ford High School. He later coached little league football and soccer, as well as high school football for both Southfield High and Detroit Henry Ford. So sports bind the Love family together.
Athletic Director Eschmann says, “The Love parents are very supportive in coaching, as well as maintaining their children.”
Sports, although important to the Love family and what they’re known for, isn’t what they’re all about. “School first” is how Amanda explains what her parents expect from her. “Scholarships are the one thing that will definitely get you into college, so I have to have good grades.”