Andre Ethier's Fan Forum

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2006/02/14/news/695743

Around ASU: True love, Sun Devil-style
by Christopher Drexel published on Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Have you heard enough cutesy Valentine's Day stories yet?

Well here's just one more. But this one's worth hearing, because it's love, Sun Devil-style!

Maggie Germaine first met Andre Ethier a week before their freshman year in August 2000 during an orientation for ASU athletes. Germaine, a Mesa Mountain View graduate, was about to embark on a four-year, All-American career with the ASU gymnastics team. Ethier, a Phoenix St. Mary's grad, was set to start a three-year stint with the baseball team that ended when he was drafted by the Oakland A's in 2003.

After first laying eyes on each other, the pair began to see more of one another when Germaine's roommate, gymnast Amber Giorgianni, and Ethier's roommate, baseball player Rod Allen, were romantically involved.

Even though Germaine and Ethier dated other people, the two remained friends for the better part of two years, even when Ethier transferred to play baseball at Chandler-Gilbert Community College for a semester. Then, during their junior year, friendship blossomed into romance and the two became a thriving couple. He could be seen delivering her flowers after gymnastic meets, and she frequented the baseball diamond.

Following more than two years together, they split up after Germaine's senior season. "We needed time to make sure this was it," Germaine said.

With Ethier playing minor league baseball in California and Germaine still in Tempe, the two only talked about once a month and dated other people. ASU football coach Dirk Koetter even asked Germaine to "hang out" with Ben Olson, one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in the country, when Olson - who, like Germaine, is a member of the Mormon church - visited ASU on a recruiting trip.

But that didn't work out, and Germaine and Ethier finally realized they belonged together and began talking every day. When baseball season ended and Ethier returned home, the two were a couple again. In December, Ethier brought Germaine to one of the couple's favorite pizza restaurants where both their parents were standing on the establishment's patio. Then Ethier dropped to one knee and proposed.

On Thursday, the couple was married in Germaine's family's home, with a backyard full of ASU athletes looking on. They are currently on a honeymoon in Sedona, Ariz., where they will remain through Valentine's Day.

"I think we always knew we'd get back together," Germaine said. "I never really had a picture in my mind of what my wedding would be like, but if I would have, this would have been it."

Now, Germaine is an assistant for the gymnastics team, and Ethier is set to report for the Los Angeles Dodgers training camp - the team he was traded to in December - this Friday. Both pledge their love not only to each other, but to the place they met.

"We were big Sun Devil people growing up, and meeting a fellow Sun Devil that has the same passion that you do for the University you loved being a part of so much, I think that's really special," Ethier said. "To meet a fellow athlete that went through it and really bled maroon and gold like we did, it's a great feeling. We'd do anything for the Sun Devils."

Added Germaine, "It's important when choosing (where to attend school), you have to keep in mind you may meet your future husband or wife in college."

There you go, Sun Devils. Whether you're planning an evening with someone special tonight, or your plans start and end with a jug of Haeagen Dazs and some cable TV, just remember, ASU is about more than just flip-flops, fake tans, beer and history of rock and roll classes.

It is also a place to find true love!