On the surface – in her words – he was a “macho” man, lining up at tight end for the Humboldt State football program. But she saw beyond the stereotype, observing a sensitivity and sweet nature that immediately attracted her attention.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, we’re sharing a few stories like this from couples who found love at HSU.
After meeting as HSU undergraduates, Haley Anderson and Josh White began a journey along a lifetime path traveled by many college sweethearts. They had a lot in common besides athletics, both graduating with degrees in Kinesiology in 2004, earning teaching credentials from HSU the following year, then completing master’s degrees in Sports Administration at Eastern New Mexico University. In between their educational pursuits, they got married.
“He had a goofy, fun side to him,” Haley said. “Here we were, in the fundamentals of aerobics class, and he’s up front leading the class in exercises, smiling and enjoying himself. I knew then I wanted to get to know him better.”
“One main attraction that I had with Haley was she was the nicest, most friendly person that would do anything for anyone,” Josh said. “She was always happy and upbeat and still is. Haley is the type of person who everyone loves.”
As a formative time in young adults’ lives, college is a common meeting place for future married couples. A social media survey conducted via Facebook indicates 28 percent of those partners began dating while completing higher education programs at the same institution.
If first dates are an accurate reflection of compatibility, Haley’s good nature helped Josh overcome his quirky idea of how to make a first impression.
“He took me to Moonstone Beach, where he taught me how to drive my truck in the sand,” she said. “It was more of his idea of a date than mine, but I wasn’t complaining.”
“I remember being happy the whole night,” Josh said. “Haley had never driven her truck on the beach so I figured I would show her how. After that bit of excitement I wanted to go to the beach and have a romantic walk. We held hands and walked and talked. It was a great night.”
The bond grew stronger as they progressed through a very traditional courtship, Josh supporting Haley at every women’s basketball game and Haley cheering on her future husband, proudly wearing a jersey with his number and name to every Lumberjack football game. A month after earning their teaching credentials, they took their wedding vows at a lovely outdoor wedding held in Haley’s hometown of Reno, Nev.
Josh, whose brothers Chris, Nick and Jason are also Humboldt State graduates, wasn’t the only member of his family to find love on campus. Jason (Kinesiology, ‘93) and his wife, the former Maggie Vallee (Kinesiology, ‘93), were introduced long before the younger couple, and tied the knot on June 17, 1995, 10 years and one week before Josh and Haley. Their HSU-themed wedding included a reception held on campus in the West Gymnasium.
“We found that we had similar interests,” Maggie said. “We would be at a party and end up playing cards together. I didn’t want to date another kinesiology major, but since it was a month before I graduated, I made an exception and it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made.”
Maggie and Jason reside locally, making their home in Fieldbrook along with children Hayden, 15, Rachel, 13, and Jasmine, 10. Maggie is employed as head softball coach at College of the Redwoods, and Jason is head football coach and teaches physical education at Eureka High School.
It was Maggie’s warm reception that helped Haley understand that she was on course to join the White family.
“I met Josh’s sister-in-law at a College of the Redwoods softball game, and I remember getting a special vibe from her,” Haley said. “What sealed the deal for me that I wanted to marry this guy was when I went with him to pick up his niece and nephew from daycare. He was so loving and gentle with them. I know that I wanted a future with him.”
The Whites currently live in Quincy, Calif., where Haley is head women’s basketball coach and a health and exercise studies professor at Feather River College. Josh serves the same institution as associate head football coach and TRIO academic advisor. Their family has grown to include son Nathan, 4, and daughter Taylor, who will turn 2 in February.
“We were each other’s rock during hard times, and the first ones to have a celebration hug in good times,” Haley said. “Not much has changed, 13 years later, except that we now have two amazing children. We are very blessed, and can thank Humboldt State for our starting point.”
We rounded up your Lumberjack Love stories on HSU’s Facebook page. Here’s what you had to say:
Love was in the air in 1954. This is one heck of a pick-up line. Tell us, did you meet your cupid at HSU? How did the Lumberjack love begin? (listed in no particular order)
• Brandee Aldreidge: Yes! Been married for 8 years, together for 12 and we now have two amazing daughters. We moved into shared housing together off-campus. He was a senior, me a sophomore. The rest is history.
• Karen Kintz: After sitting next to each other in most of our classes for two years, we started dating two weeks before graduation in 2012. Now we’re engaged
• Tiffany Newton: We were both living in the Tan Oak building in the canyon our freshman year and started dating that April (2003). We got married during our last HSU winter break in January of 2008 and just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Good memories!
• Theresa Doss: Still married after meeting at HSU in 1983. This year will be our 28th anniversary. We were both living in houses with surfers, and met watching their surf movies on an 8mm projector at my house.
• Brenda Coracero: Yes!! After hearing about him 2years later we finally met an love at first sight in 2005 now it’s been 8 wonderful years. Can’t forget those HSU Memories ❤
• Maureen Teubert: We met in Intro to Forestry when we were Sophomores in 1997, started dating the following fall, and were married in 2005! Humboldt will always be very special to us.
• Kristi Boring Shelton: Yup. Met back in 1993 and have been married for 15 years.
• John Wallace: Met Stacey Tisor in 1987 US History class in Founder’s, re-acquainted as neighbors in Hemlock, and still together after 16 years of marriage!
• Shannon Moore: Yes! We met in 2001, started dating right away, and are very happily in love to this day.
• Jessica Rodriguez: We met through our Greek orgs. Six years and still going!
• Terry Henry: Yes I did and married him 36 years ago!!
• Lisa Lai: We met in class in 2002, married in 2007. Love of my life. Go Lumberjacks!
• Sherry Libal Swinney: I did. We’ve been married for almost 14 years. Thank you HSU!
• Jennifer Ann Aspuria: Yes! We’ve been married almost 6 years, together for almost 9 years and now have a beautiful 1-year-old daughter. We met in the dorms, Creekview.
• Katrina McFarland: Yes indeed I did! I met my soul mate and best friend at HSU and we have been married 22 years this June. Going to HSU was the best decision I ever made.
• Jen Code: Well, I did not meet my cupid at HSU, however, he proposed to me in 2002 at our HSU graduation ceremony, in front of everyone. Dr. David Kitchen, read my (now) husband’s request, immediately after I received my diploma. It was the most memorable and romantic moment of my life! We have been happily married for ten years and have two awesome boys.
• Jonathan Wright: Met my future wife in Safeway in Arcata in 1988 while we were both attending HSU.
• Leila Rain Adler: Yup—met thru a mutual friend at a party at the girls’ rugby house (the pink one) near the south end of campus, in 2004. We’re separated now, but, believe it or not, still best friends, and still have a great time meeting up in Arcata especially during the summer festival season! (Kinetic sculpture, oyster, etc) Best college town EVER!!!
• George Heath: open-mic night at Shakey’s Pizza in Arcata 1974 , I was drinking a beer w/ friends from KOA campground and she was playing piano with a couple of guitarists. After chasing up and down the California coast for a few years and hiking down to College Cove together we got married for 33 years; have always remembered our romantic start in Humboldt and walking the North Coast beaches.
• Carley Stanley: We met in 1998 in an aerobics for instructors class and have been together since.
• Holly Eaton: We met freshman year in the redwood dorms. Four years today!
• Paige Glenn Schadt: Yes! Met at on a rafting trip through a CRU in 2004… And my parents also met on campus in 1978!!!
• Amy Torres: We met freshman year on an HOP backpacking trip in 1993. We’ve been together 20 years this October, and have two beautiful daughters!!!
• Christy Kissel-Khattab: My husband stood up as my anthropology TA and I immediately said “ I am keeping this class” and married him two years later and am happier everyday because of him!