Wayne State University's full-time golf coach since 2007, Mike Horn is highly motivational, not just about golf but about life and career choices. His coaching philosophy stems from his own experiences.

"I enjoy everything I do," Horn said. "I work hard, but it's not work to me. As a golf coach, I look to recruit spunky two or three-sport kids who want to concentrate on golf during their college years. I encourage them to develop character, work hard and be tough."

Horn was about 10 years old when he developed an interest in golf. "I grew up in Dearborn Heights. My dad, a golf enthusiast, played at Warren Valley in Dearborn Heights and I was allowed to come along," Horn said.

Horn was accepted at Wayne State with the help of a letter of recommendation from his high school golf coach to then WSU golf coach Dave Toth. Horn loved coming to Wayne State from the start because of the diversity. "It was a different world to me," Horn said. "My best friend was a fencer from Sweden."

A business major, Horn took most of his classes at night and golfed during the day. "I had a great time," Horn said. "I loved it all-economics, law, statistics and accounting." Horn said all of his professors used real business scenarios and situations to teach their students. "They really made me interested in going to class," he said. "I could see how I could use the information."

After earning his business degree, Horn was employed at Blockbuster Video for 10 years and worked his way up from shelving tapes to regional director with 100 stores and a thousand employees. "In that job, I used so much of what I learned from the School of Business Administration," he said.

Horn had an opportunity with Blockbuster to move to Australia, but with a new baby at home, he decided to pursue other opportunities. He went to work for Dynamic Supplies and, in 1999, was encouraged to apply for a part-time coaching position at the university. He worked both jobs for nearly three years. Since 2005, he has run his own business, Total Cleaning Systems, now handled by his wife.

Wayne State University is a three-generation school for the Horn family. His father went to night school while working at Ford Motor Company and earned an engineering degree. Several of Horn's uncles also have engineering degrees from the university. Now Horn's son Dillon is an undergraduate studying kinesiology and he is a member of the golf team.

"I credit my parents for any success I've had. They're my personal heroes," Horn said. "Their work ethic is strong and they gave me and my sisters everything we needed growing up - love, support, discipline and security."

Horn's advice to today's students is to not settle for a standard career or what someone else has done. He encourages them to be creative. "There are so many opportunities," he said. "Go for it!"