Dec. 11, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - History was made at the UCF baseball complex last Saturday. No, it didn't involve the nationally ranked Knights, but instead, two die-hard fans said I do at home plate in front of their friends and family on a gorgeous 80-degree afternoon.
Jonathan, a UCF graduate, and Michaela Costanza had envisions of a unique wedding. The high-school sweethearts of 10 years are major supporters of UCF Athletics and the baseball program as a whole. When the time came to find a venue, the bride contacted head baseball coach Terry Rooney to pass the idea about a wedding at home plate.
It was my idea, said Michaela, just moments after tying the knot. When we were thinking about where to get married it only seemed perfect that we got married on the baseball field. This is our home away from home.
Working out the logistics, the Costanzas planned their one-of-a-kind ceremony alongside Ann Allen, event and sales coordinator at the UCF Alumni Association, to make the historic event happen. Since 2005, the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center has hosted a plethora of weddings, including 20 in just the past two years.
As a part of the wedding package at the alumni center, at least five couples who have had access to the football field for 45 minutes to take pictures wherever they wish. But the Costanzas took their celebration to the next level.
The setup on the diamond included 80 white chairs split evenly on either side behind home plate, a white runner from the home-side dugout for the bride to walk down, their initials painted into the third-base grass where the guests entered and a congratulatory video-board message after the first kiss.
It was our Field of Dreams, Jonathan said after seeing the congratulatory message on the video board. We had been planning this for a year, and even before we were planning it, we never thought we could get married on the baseball field. We want to thank Coach Rooney and UCF Athletics for all they have done. They supported us from the very get-go.
Rooney added about the newlywed Dugout Club members: Our baseball program is honored that the Costanzas used the baseball field for their wedding. We are extremely appreciative for all their support in recent years and the tremendous passion they have for UCF baseball.
The Costanza's historic ceremony was just another example of two people joining their love for each other, and of UCF, in one perfect union.