Sports
Why We Didn’t Have a DIY Beach Wedding
Welcome to Beach Week, our annual celebration of the best place on Earth.
Before my fiancé became my husband—in fact, even before he became my fiancé—we spent a lot of time on and around an 18,600-acre Missouri reservoir known as Mark Twain Lake. We invited friends to join us on the pontoon boat for charcuterie and cocktails, we took the kayak and the stand-up paddleboard into coves, and we spent many hours enjoying both the sand and the not-quite-surf at John F. Spalding Beach.
Which is why, as soon as we knew we were planning a wedding, we asked ourselves what it would take to host it there.
“Imagine the two of us,” Larry said, “saying our vows on the beach at sunset.”
The iconic cliché of the sunset ceremony—and you’ll have to forgive us, we were newly engaged—quickly expanded into what we hoped would become an extended beach party. Having the event at Mark Twain Lake would make it a destination wedding, in the sense that the lake is far enough away from everything else that even our local guests would have to set aside the entire day to attend, and so we began thinking of activities that would make the trip worthwhile.
“We could rent a few extra kayaks,” I said, “or play beach volleyball.”
“And we can get a bunch of stuff going on the grill!” Larry was very enthusiastic about the possibilities. “Our beach wedding would be about bringing the people we love to this place that we love, so they can love it too.”
My mother, who probably loves us more than anybody, was less enthusiastic about the possibility of spending her oldest daughter’s wedding day playing beach volleyball. She suggested that, since we were still very early in the planning process, we might want to consider having a more traditional kind of beach wedding with a ceremony and dinner and dancing because that’s what has been proved to be the most enjoyable for everyone involved. In fact, we might even want to go back to our original plan, which was to have our wedding in our backyard garden. Hadn’t we been talking about that ever since we bought the house?
The truth is that my mother is right about most things—and we did in fact have our wedding in the backyard, but not before we figured out all of the reasons why a beach wedding was wrong for us.
Here’s what we learned.
Not everybody loves the beach
Some of the people we loved thought that a day full of swimming and kayaking and grilling was a great idea, but those were the people who had been coming to the lake with us for years.
The rest of the people we loved were perfectly willing to come to this place that we loved, if that was where we wanted to have our wedding, but they very quickly let us know that they probably wouldn’t love the beach as much as we did—especially if they were required to participate in sports and activities.
“Can we just come for the sunset ceremony?” they asked.
“Sure,” I said, reassuringly. “Come whenever you like.”
Some people may want formal wedding photos
Once we agreed that none of our guests would have to get into a kayak unless they really wanted to, and that anybody who wanted to come just for the sunset ceremony was welcome to do so, my mother asked the next important question: “Are you going to be wearing a swimsuit in your wedding photos?”
I told her that I probably would end up wearing my swimsuit during the ceremony if it came at the end of a daylong beach party, since it wasn’t like Larry and I were going to be able to shower and change and style our hair. Then my mother asked me if there weren’t any showers at the beach and I said of course there were, but they were beach showers.
It quickly became clear that many members of my family wanted to use the wedding as an opportunity to take the kinds of photos that could only be taken when everyone is gathered together. The various family groupings, all of the siblings together, the big picture with everyone in it and so on. From there it made sense that Larry and I should think about how we might look presentable, in the sense that whatever photos we took would live on various mantels for decades, and that we should make sure that everyone else had the opportunity to look their best as well.
“I have this white eyelet lace sundress that I wore when Larry and I bought our house,” I said, “and I told him I wouldn’t wear it again until we got married in the backyard, but I could wear it on the beach instead and we could do the more traditional kind of wedding with a dinner and a ceremony and dancing.”
Beach wedding logistics are difficult
As Larry and I put our minds toward having a traditional wedding on a Midwestern beach, the logistics of how everyone would enjoy the day became more and more complicated. “We still need to confirm whether we need a permit,” I said, “and if we’re having a formal dinner we’ll probably want to rent a shelter house, and we may want to do the thing where you rent a bunch of chairs and tie ribbons around them and arrange them in rows on the sand.”
“Can we get by without renting chairs if we keep the ceremony short and get everybody back to the shelter house for dinner as quickly as possible?” Larry asked.
“Probably,” I said, optimistically. “We’ll also want to rent the shelter house for at least one day before the wedding, because I want to power wash the entire thing beforehand. Those places are full of spiders. Does that mean we’ll need to rent a power washer?”
And suddenly we were talking about budgets and bunting and staple guns and Pinterest boards and whether we’d need to give each guest a pocket-size thing of bug spray with a ribbon tied around it; how we would keep the food at a safe temperature and whether we’d need to assign one of our guests the job of remaining at the shelter house during the ceremony to keep the squirrels off the crudités.
Then we started thinking seriously about the logistics involved in getting people from the shelter house to the beach, including the difficulties that might come up for guests who have specific mobility needs, and then I said the sentence that ended the entire project:
“Larry, when they come back from the ceremony, they’re going to have sand in their shoes.”
“What do you mean?”
“If we want to do a formal beach wedding at sunset and then dinner and dancing afterward, people are either going to have to wear their dress shoes onto the beach and then back up to the shelter house, or they’re going to have to leave their shoes at the shelter house and make their way across the parking lot barefoot, or maybe they’ll carry their shoes, who knows, but either way they’re going to get sand on their feet, and that means they’ll be uncomfortable during the dinner and dancing.”
So we had our backyard wedding instead—which was exactly the kind of wedding Larry and I had been talking about ever since we first bought our house. We had been so enamored of the beach-wedding-at-sunset image that we forgot what should have been obvious. We kept the parts of the beach wedding that we liked, including the part where my sister brought over a bunch of lawn games for the kids to play, and added the parts that my mother knew would be best for everyone, such as formal photos with the extended family.
AUSTIN (KXAN) – As Texas volleyball gets set for a busy weekend hosting the regional semifinals and final at Gregory Gymnasium, the future takes the spotlight as much as the present.
The University of Texas issued a request for proposal (RFP) Wednesday as they look for private developers to help them create the new home for Texas volleyball and a student-athlete housing facility adjacent to the arena.
In a release, the university explained the aim is to have the arena hold around 6,000 fans, with some ability to change that number for shows and university events. The project, which will be located just north of East MLK Boulevard, is set to take up about four acres.
The request does not set a date for when the facility would begin construction, as the university currently seeks, “private developer(s) to plan, design, construct, equip, finance and operate,” the new arena and housing development. Essentially seeking partnership in developing the two buildings, the announcement delivers a message on Texas Athletics’ growing ambition to expand its facilities.
“It is important for us to be strategic about how we use our space and how our students and visitors engage with our campus,” UT President Jim Davis said. “This is a unique development that will enhance the University’s athletics facilities and housing portfolio and benefit students, Longhorn fans and our city for years to come. I am grateful to our Board of Regents for their support for our vision.”
Any initial arguments for a greater fan capacity was supported early this season when the Longhorns hosted Stanford in Moody Center in September. Setting a state of Texas volleyball attendance record of 10,899 fans, the Longhorns certainly made a case for why they deserve more space for their matches.
Texas volleyball currently resides in Gregory Gymnasium, which can officially hold a capacity of 4,000 fans, but can accommodate more if necessary. Regularly attracting a large crowd, Texas averaged 4,393 fans per match in 2024, according to UT Athletics.
“This is a critical step for the future of Texas Volleyball and our student-athletes’ housing experience,” Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. “It is about creating an experience that our student-athletes, coaches and passionate fans will be proud of in the heart of a district built for elite talent and entertainment.”
The university’s proposal for the new facility will certainly create a new experience for the Longhorns. According to renderings released by the University via X, the arena will resemble the design of the Moody Center, have an upper bowl and a jumbotron over the center of the court.
Dedicating this arena is yet another indicator of the growing influence of women’s volleyball. A sport that continues to gain popularity, this step by Texas Athletics not only shows the team’s commitment to providing its athletes some of the nation’s best facilities, but to the growth of the sport as well.
Fans can watch the Thai women’s volleyball team take on the Philippines in their second group match at the 33rd SEA Games on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The game will be played at Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, with live online coverage from 5.30pm.
The 33rd SEA Games, the biggest sporting festival in ASEAN, runs from December 9-20, 2025, featuring 50 sports. Thailand has set a target of 241 gold medals. Indoor volleyball at Huamark is one of the main highlights, with both the Thai women’s and men’s teams tipped as strong favourites to win gold on home soil.
This is the seventh time Thailand has hosted the SEA Games, following 1959, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2007. Eleven countries are competing: Thailand (host), Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Cambodia has announced it will not take part.
ECAC Announces 2025 Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC and Major Awards
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2025 Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC Teams and major awards.
Kean University brought home two awards this year as Ashley Torok won Rookie of the Year and Don Perkins won Coach of the Year. They are joined by Gwen Eustace from Salisbury University and Bella Demers from William Paterson University as Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive of the Year, respectively.
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Gwen Eustace – Salisbury University, MB
Bella Demers – William Paterson University, Libero
Ashley Torok – Kean University, Outside Hitter
Don Perkins – Kean University, Head Coach
ECAC Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC First Team
Gwen Eustace – Salisbury University, Sr., MB
Hannah Smith – Virginia Wesleyan University, Gr., OH
Cadence Jones – PSU Behrend, So., OH
Kai Fitzpatrick – NJCU, Jr., OH
Jadyn Orava – John Jay College, So., OH
Niya Nash – Virginia Wesleyan University, Jr., S
Bella Demers – William Paterson University, So., L
ECAC Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC Second Team
Cayley Elena Morrison – Kean University, Jr., MH
Molly Mishinkash – Juniata College, So., MH
Shannon McGrath – Union College, So., OH
Maggie Hayes – Juniata College, Jr., MH
Loren Hernandez – Manhattanville University, Sr, OH
Aspen O’Brien – Kean University, Sr., S
Megan Wright – Utica University, Jr., L
ABOUT THE ECAC
The ECAC is an eighty-six year old intercollegiate athletics organization with roughly 200 member schools for traditional sports across all three NCAA Divisions – I, II and III – that exists to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in NCAA sports, and provide great value for universities, by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the country. The ECAC also hosts a comprehensive esports program, with over 300 schools, 4,000 teams and 10,000-plus participants in twenty-four different games titles.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – EKU, West Georgia and Queens claimed this week’s Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Men’s Indoor Track and Field honors while EKU and West Georgia earned this week’s Women’s honors, announced Wednesday by the league office.
EKU’s Taha Er Raouy was named Men’s Track Performer of the Week. The 2025 ASUN Cross Country Individual Champion finished sixth in the 3,000 meters at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Er Raouy competed in a field of collegiate and professional athletes. He is currently ranked fourth in the nation in the 3K after his performance of 7:40.56. The Colonels’ Daryoce Flemons and West Georgia’s Isaiah McMichael were both named Field Athlete of the Week. Flemons took first place in the weight throw at the KTCCCA Commonwealth Opener. He threw a school-record 17.81 meters. McMichael competed in the high jump at the KTCCCA Commonwealth Opener. He claimed first place with a 2.00-meter jump. Queens’ Oliver Cooper was named Freshman of the Week. He took sixth place in the men’s mile at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick Off. His 4:17.87 mile is currently ranked first in the ASUN.
EKU’s Edna Chelulei earned Women’s Track Performer of the Week after she ran 15:42.14 in the 5K. Her performance at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener marked a new school indoor record. Kristan Simmons was named Field Performer of the Week. She took first place in the women’s weight throw. Her 17.28-meter throw marked a new school record for EKU. Kellie Walker earned Freshman of the Week after earning two top-5 finishes for the Wolves on the weekend. She ran 25.66 seconds in the 200M to earn third place then followed with a 7.77-second 60m to claim fifth.
Men’s Track Performer of the Week
Taha Er Raouy, EKU
Other Nominees: Trey Leggins, Queens; Gavin Barlow, West Georgia.
Men’s Field Performer of the Week
Daryoce Flemons, EKU and Isaiah McMichael, West Georgia
Other Nominees: Justin Davis, Lipscomb; Josiah Ford, Queens.
Men’s Freshman of the Week
Oliver Cooper, Queens
Other Nominees: Tola Taiwo, Bellarmine; KeShawn Allen, Lipscomb; Juliam Mays, West Georgia.
Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Edna Chelulei, EKU
Other Nominees: Regan Watts, Lipscomb; Rowan Shannon, Queens; Chloe Leblanc, West Georgia.
Women’s Field Performer of the Week
Kristan Simmons, EKU
Other Nominees: Madelyn Kocik, Austin Peay; Amelia Svidal, Bellarmine; Vesna Kljajevic, Queens; Dru Green, West Georgia.
Women’s Freshman of the Week
Kellie Walker, West Georgia
Other Nominee: Kacie Bailey, Queens.
2025 Season Award Winners
Men’s
Dec. 10 | Track: Taha Er Raouy, EKU; Field: Daryoce Flemons, EKU and Isaiah McMichael, West Georgia; Freshman: Oliver Cooper, Queens
Women’s
Dec. 10 | Track: Edna Chelulei, EKU; Field: Kristan Simmons, EKU; Freshman: Kellie Walker, West Georgia
Men’s Track & Field | 12/11/2025 9:33:00 AM
SEAHAWK SHOOTOUT HISTORY
The 2025-26 season marks only the second time that Saint Francis will be participating in the Wagner College Seahawk Shootout. The meet has been an annual event since the 2015-16 campaign. Last year, Sevison took first place in weight throw as a part of 16 top 10 finishes for the Red Flash.
LAST EVENT
The women’s team accumulated seven top 10 performances. Olivia Renk finished second in the 200-meter and fourth in the 60-meter on the women’s side. The sophomore clocked in a time of 25.46 in the 200-meter and a 7.72 time in the 60-meter. In the women’s long jump, Taylor Foster finished in fifth place in the event with a jump of 5.29m. Foster also claimed eighth place in the women’s triple jump with 10.63m. Aubrie Wells and Karsyn Ford both finished with 3.25m to tie for eighth place. Rounding out the top 10 finishes was Rylee Nicklas taking 10th in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 14.22m.
On the other side, the men’s team registered 12 top 10 finishes on the day. Jayden Foster took eighth place in the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 22.81. Meanwhile, Tyler Craft claimed the ninth spot with a time of 37.08 in the 300-meter. Craft jumped his way into second place in the long jump with 6.94m. Staying in the meter dashes, James Parmelee (1:10.38) took third and Holden Schreier finished seventh (1:12.90) in the men’s 500-meter. Two more Red Flash placed top 10 in the high jump, Ayden Martinage (8th, 1.85m) and Braydon Beach (10th, 1.80m).
Running over to the pole vault, Dylan Andrews finished with a jump of 4.25 to give himself seventh place. Clark Gulycz took fourth in the men’s shot put with a mark of 17.07m. Saint Francis took another two top 10 finishes, this time in the men’s triple jump. Nehemyah Williams gained third place with a leap of 14.35m. Ian Conway was not far behind him in seventh with 12.54m. Vincent Franco finished out the Red Flash in sixth place with a time of 15.94m.
NEC PRESEASON POLL
Saint Francis women’s track & field was picked fifth in the NEC Preseason Poll. Wagner earned five first-place votes and earned the distinction of being the preseason favorite. Stonehill and CCSU both gained two first-place nods to finish in second and third place. Chicago State gained the last vote for first-place, finishing in fourth. After the Red Flash in fifth place, FDU, LIU, New Haven, Mercyhurst, and Le Moyne round out the ten-team poll.
Saint Francis men’s track & field was picked seventh in the NEC Preseason Poll. CCSU earned eight first-place votes and earned the distinction of being the preseason favorite. Wagner gained one first-place vote to finish in second. Stonehill and Chicago State were picked to finish in third and fourth. FDU and LIU were both tied in fifth place, however, LIU earned the last vote for first-place. After the Red Flash in seventh place, New Haven, Le Moyne, and Mercyhurst round out the ten-team poll.
NEXT UP FOR RED FLASH
Saint Francis will take some time off until January 17 when it will attend the Nittany Lion Challenge located at University Park, Pa.
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to seek private developer(s) to plan, design, construct, equip, finance and operate a small multipurpose public arena to serve as the competition home for the Longhorns’ four-time National Champion Women’s Volleyball and an adjacent student-athlete housing facility, with minimal financial outlay from the University. The project will encompass approximately 4 acres in the Athletics and Entertainment District of UT’s main campus, located north of East MLK Jr. Boulevard between Robert Dedman Drive and Interstate 35.
“It is important for us to be strategic about how we use our space and how our students and visitors engage with our campus,” said UT President Jim Davis. “This is a unique development that will enhance the University’s athletics facilities and housing portfolio and benefit students, Longhorn fans and our city for years to come. I am grateful to our Board of Regents for their support for our vision.”
The arena aims to seat approximately 6,000 fans, with the flexibility to expand seating for concerts, shows and University events that complement the adjacent Moody Center. The student-athlete housing facility is envisioned to provide a best-in-class housing experience for the University’s student-athletes that reflects UT’s commitment to recruiting and developing premier talent. Additionally, it could provide ground-level retail opportunities that will enhance the campus, community, and visitors’ experience.
“This is a critical step for the future of Texas Volleyball and our student-athletes’ housing experience,” said Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. “It is about creating an experience that our student-athletes, coaches and passionate fans will be proud of in the heart of a district built for elite talent and entertainment.”
The RFP seeks private developers who have successfully developed and operated best-in-class, multipurpose public arenas, student housing and retail facilities, and who have the financial capability to contribute all or a substantial portion of the cost to develop, build and operate the new facilities. Under the proposed public-private collaboration, UT would own both the arena and student-athlete housing properties, and an outside entity would operate them.
UT issued the RFP Dec. 10 after the UT System Board of Regents authorized it last month. The 2033 Higher Education Development Foundation will lead the RFP process, and developer(s) will have the option to submit proposals for both or each facility by Feb. 6. The specific timeline and financial arrangement between the University and developer(s) will be determined through negotiations before any agreement is reached.
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