by Ryan Floersheim
and Audra Meiklejohn
Daily Lobo
The Pit was full of love Saturday as 19 couples exchanged wedding vows during halftime at the UNM women's basketball game.
The die-hard Lobo fans tied the knot in front of a large crowd during the event that was several months in the making, said Kelly Reed, assistant athletics director of marketing at UNM.
Reed said the Athletics Department had been looking for people wanting to participate in the event for some time, advertising it during athletic events, on the University's Web site and in several local newspapers.
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She said the idea came from a similar event at an NBA game.
"We haven't had an event on Valentine's Day for four or five years, so we thought we might as well make the most of it," Reed said of the first such event in recent history at UNM.
Albuquerque Metro Court Judge Wayne Griego officiated the 10-minute wedding, which saw 16 couples exchanging vows for the first time and three couples renewing their love.
Reed said the Athletics Department wanted to make participating worth the couple's time, relying on donations from local businesses to lavish them in style.
The couples were given free tuxedo rentals, deals on wedding dresses, a free reception with all the trimmings at The Pit's VIP lounge and wedding photos courtesy of a professional photographer, Reed said.
UNM mascots Louie and Lucy Lobo, decked out in formal wedding attire, served as best man and maid of honor.
The participants, most of whom are season ticket holders at The Pit, said becoming man and wife at the Pit was an opportunity they couldn't pass up.
"When we heard about it, we though it sounded like fun," said Ronette Ortiz, who renewed her wedding vows to Anthony, her husband of 25 years. "We just thought it was a neat idea."
The couple, who plans on having a formal church ceremony in May, said they have been Lobo fans for the past five years and thought participating in the mass wedding was a way of showing their team spirit.
Two Albuquerque lesbians, looking to make a point about the recent national controversy surrounding the legalities of gay marriage, ran onto the court during the service and participated in the ceremony.
The couple, who stood proudly hand in hand as Judge Griego went through the proceedings, said afterwards that they don't consider themselves married but wanted to raise awareness about the topic.
New Mexico laws do not allow gay marriages.
Still, many people in attendance Saturday said they respected what the couple was trying to do.
"The bottom line is if you love someone enough to marry them, you should be allowed to," said Albuquerque resident Gary Sammi. "I respect all these couples for having the courage to express their love in front of this many people."
Reed said she thought the event was a resounding success and will consider doing it again the next time the Lobos have a game on Valentine's Day.
