University of Minnesota Athletics
McKee Brothers Cherish Relationship With Mother
5/12/2019 10:28:00 AM | Wrestling
If the Gophers were on the road this season, you could be nearly assured that Nina McKee would be in the crowd. Whether it was the Illinois and Northwestern road trip or a flight to the NCAA Championships, Nina was almost always in attendance.
So when her oldest son, Mitch, secured his first All-American honors on Friday night in Pittsburgh this past spring, Nina was right there to embrace him alongside other family members.
"I went up and saw her and everyone else," McKee said. "It was an awesome moment to celebrate, give hugs, and take some pictures, even if I knew I had a few more matches to go."
Mitch, a rising senior, and his brother Pat, a rising redshirt freshman, came to the 'U' from only 35 miles away in St. Michael. The loving mother of two Gopher wrestlers, Nina has supported their wrestling careers from the time they were in kindergarten through their current time in the Maroon and Gold.
Whether it was just practice, a local tournament, or a national tournament across the country, Nina was around.
As children, they attended Pinnacle Wrestling Club and were led by former Gophers Brandon Paulson and Jared Lawrence. The only issue was that Pinnacle was over an hour-long drive away three times each week.
Nina always made it work.
"She literally drove us to every practice," Pat said. "We would carpool with other people, but she was always driving everyone."
The rest of their teammates got to appreciate Nina's caring attitude as she basically become the "team mom" according to the McKee's. Nina would take care of their teammates by organizing food, setting-up events or just giving out her signature hugs.
The pair always appreciated and loved their mother with the bond only strengthening as the duo matured, but also suffered tragedy. The McKee's father, Steve, passed away from cancer when they were only teenagers changing their lives.
During Mitch's sophomore state tournament, the final one with his father in attendance, he pinned his opponent to win the title and promptly jogged over to give his father a hug. Mitch's opponent, moved by the moment, also gave Steve McKee a hug.
Steve had undergone extensive chemotherapy treatments leading up to the tournament just for the opportunity to see Mitch become a Minnesota Champion.
Through the hardship, heartbreak, and maturation, the McKee brother's already close relationship with their mom was strengthened when their father passed in 2014.
"When we were younger we didn't realize it and appreciate it as much," Pat said. "In college and as we get older we appreciate it so much. We know how much she sacrificed."
As they've aged and become more independent, both McKee brothers appreciate the sacrifices made by their mom even more every day. Now the brothers want to give back, even the smallest bit whether it's just spending time together or organizing their family cabin.
So, Nina, both of your son's express their gratitude from the bottom of their heart.
"Thanks for putting us over yourself the last 21 years of our lives," Mitch said.
"Mom, thank you for all the sacrifices you've made," Pat added. "And thank you for being the crazy mom in the best way. Thank you for always being there."
So when her oldest son, Mitch, secured his first All-American honors on Friday night in Pittsburgh this past spring, Nina was right there to embrace him alongside other family members.
"I went up and saw her and everyone else," McKee said. "It was an awesome moment to celebrate, give hugs, and take some pictures, even if I knew I had a few more matches to go."
Mitch, a rising senior, and his brother Pat, a rising redshirt freshman, came to the 'U' from only 35 miles away in St. Michael. The loving mother of two Gopher wrestlers, Nina has supported their wrestling careers from the time they were in kindergarten through their current time in the Maroon and Gold.
Whether it was just practice, a local tournament, or a national tournament across the country, Nina was around.
As children, they attended Pinnacle Wrestling Club and were led by former Gophers Brandon Paulson and Jared Lawrence. The only issue was that Pinnacle was over an hour-long drive away three times each week.
Nina always made it work.
"She literally drove us to every practice," Pat said. "We would carpool with other people, but she was always driving everyone."
The rest of their teammates got to appreciate Nina's caring attitude as she basically become the "team mom" according to the McKee's. Nina would take care of their teammates by organizing food, setting-up events or just giving out her signature hugs.
The pair always appreciated and loved their mother with the bond only strengthening as the duo matured, but also suffered tragedy. The McKee's father, Steve, passed away from cancer when they were only teenagers changing their lives.
During Mitch's sophomore state tournament, the final one with his father in attendance, he pinned his opponent to win the title and promptly jogged over to give his father a hug. Mitch's opponent, moved by the moment, also gave Steve McKee a hug.
Steve had undergone extensive chemotherapy treatments leading up to the tournament just for the opportunity to see Mitch become a Minnesota Champion.
Through the hardship, heartbreak, and maturation, the McKee brother's already close relationship with their mom was strengthened when their father passed in 2014.
"When we were younger we didn't realize it and appreciate it as much," Pat said. "In college and as we get older we appreciate it so much. We know how much she sacrificed."
As they've aged and become more independent, both McKee brothers appreciate the sacrifices made by their mom even more every day. Now the brothers want to give back, even the smallest bit whether it's just spending time together or organizing their family cabin.
So, Nina, both of your son's express their gratitude from the bottom of their heart.
"Thanks for putting us over yourself the last 21 years of our lives," Mitch said.
"Mom, thank you for all the sacrifices you've made," Pat added. "And thank you for being the crazy mom in the best way. Thank you for always being there."
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