Thanks to cheerleading and basketball, Midway coaches Matthew Creech and Lindsay Rusché are engaged. Creech, the head basketball coach of Midway, took the Rusché, the head cheerleading coach, back to the very spot they first met, and dropped to one knee just 500 days after the two met discussing transportation arrangements for their respective teams.

“Thankfully,” said Creech, “she said ‘yes’.”

Creech was initially told by one of his players that Rushcé was married, and gave her the respect that he would give any married woman. Quickly, he found out that she was not, and that she may have interest in him.

“A cheerleader came up to me and told me there was some interest there, and I was definitely interested in her,” smiled Creech.

Shortly after finding this out, the two began communicating, then went on their first date. There, the two found out about each other’s faith, which instantly drew the two closer together.

“Our faith has been such an important part of our lives and us as a couple,” said Creech. “When I really got to know her, I knew that I never wanted to let her slip away if I could do anything about it.”

Creech mentioned that as a Christian, they both had standards from the first date, and fortunately for each other, they each met the others’ standards.

Sports played a huge part in the relationship that led to an engagement according to the two.

“If it weren’t for her cheerleaders and my basketball players, I’m not sure that our paths would have ever really crossed,” said Creech. “The good Lord sure knows what he’s doing. As much as faith is a part of our lives, Midway is a big part of our lives too. That’s I wanted to take her right back to the place that I first met her.”

Rusché was obviously surprised, yet ecstatic when Creech proposed.

“I didn’t realize what was happening until after the music started and the words to our favorite song started playing,” she said of the experience. “Then Mrs. Butler came around the corner with her camera and at that moment I just became excited for what was about to happen. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much from the minute he got down on one knee and I couldn’t help but start tearing up.

“I really lost it when I saw my mom hiding behind the stairs on the balcony. It was the happiest day for the two of us and being able to celebrate with our families meant so much.”

Rusché, like Creech was also very thankful for the opportunity athletics brought to their lives.

“Midway athletics have played a huge role in our relationship,” she said. “Looking back, I realize that it was all a part of God’s plan to bring Matthew and I together. My cheerleaders played ‘matchmaker’ and now I like to think that we are role models for what a relationship should be like to these kids.”

The two have yet to set a date, but estimate that it will be in about a year when they are officially husband and wife.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” said Creech. “I am going to be with the woman I love for the rest of my life. It could have never happened without sports and the good Lord.”

Reach Adam Capps at 910-214-9585

Matthew Creech and Lindsay Rusché get engaged at MHS

By Adam Capps

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Midway basketball coach Matthew Creech proposes to cheerleading coach Lindsay Rusché at the spot where they first met in Midway High School.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_creech-rusche.jpgMidway basketball coach Matthew Creech proposes to cheerleading coach Lindsay Rusché at the spot where they first met in Midway High School.