There’s nothing better than a homegrown love story. That’s exactly what University of Delaware students, other Delaware residents, and web users around the world found in Tyler Ferguson and Annie Stock’s tale. The two are both on the coaching staff for the Delaware Blue Hens football team. Their marriage proposal is garnering national attention thanks to a video posted to Delaware Football’s Instagram account.
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A First State Love Story
The marriage proposal is the result of a true Blue Hen love story. It starts in exactly the same place that the proposal would eventually occur: the University of Delaware football stadium.
“We met at work almost four years ago,” Ferguson explains. “I was in a quality control role for the [University of Delaware] football team, and Annie was the assistant athletic trainer for the team.”
The two became close friends, hanging out after work and enjoying one another’s company. They discussed sports and found many mutual hobbies like going to baseball games, golfing, and travel.
Naturally, UD Football has played a significant role in the couple’s story. “The football team has been our family for the past six years for me and four years for Annie,” Ferguson says. When it came time to propose, he knew he wanted the team to be involved. He turned to UD’s head football coach Ryan Carty to start the planning process.
The Proposal
“I went to Coach Carty first to make sure it was okay for it to be in a team setting. When coach gave me the green light, I started to realize how big of a project it was going to become,” he notes.
Ferguson’s plans were supported by the team staff. The Blue Hens’ communications and creative services director Brendan Thomas was on-site for photos and video. Assistant director of football operations Haley Alioto and football operations team member Faye Domrose helped with planning the perfect moment. JT Tober, director of football video/analytics, also helped by building the custom scoreboard graphic.
Ferguson was sure not to neglect a single detail; he wanted the proposal to be perfect. He even gave Stock’s family notice so they could travel from Chicago to witness the moment in person.
When the time came after a Thursday practice, Ferguson addressed the football team: “You guys know Annie and I have been together for a long time…” Before Ferguson was down on one knee, cheers erupted from the team, and the video is slowly taken over as the football players surround the couple to express their congratulations.
“This whole thing has been pretty crazy,” Ferguson says. “In the middle of planning all of this, I wanted to make it special for Annie, but I had no idea it would turn into what it is now. It’s been super exciting, and Annie is still in awe of the whole moment.”
The video posted to the Delaware Football Instagram account has over 23,000 likes and counting. It has also been reposted to several other sports fan accounts.
“We are extremely grateful for the Delaware Football family and cannot thank them all enough for the help,” Ferguson adds.
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