When Mike O'Neil (MHK 1993, BEd 1994) ran off the football field after a Lancer game 35 years ago, one woman in the crowd caught his eye with a captivating smile he would never forget.

Fast forward to Saturday, Sept. 21, when the Lancers hosted the Ottawa Gee-Gees. O’Neil had a special surprise planned for that same woman, Michele Daignault (BEd 1995).

At the time, Daignault attended Western University, a rival school during O’Neil’s football days. Despite attending different schools, the two had mutual friends, and eventually, their paths crossed again. As O’Neil put it, “The rest was history.”

O’Neil carefully orchestrated the day. They would attend the football game, but to keep his plans under wraps, he told Daignault he and his classmates would be honoured on the field at halftime.

Standing at centre field, Coach John Purcell took the mic to introduce O’Neil, who then got down on one knee and proposed to Daignault.

“She didn’t have a clue,” he laughed. “She even grabbed the ring to pass to me, thinking it was a token of appreciation for me.”

Among those witnessing the special moment were many of O’Neil’s former teammates, their family, friends and colleagues.

Daignault was overwhelmed by the surprise and the effort put into making her day so memorable.

“I couldn’t believe everyone was there for me,” she said, tears of joy in her eyes.

Reflecting on the day, O’Neil said the lead-up to the proposal was “very overwhelming” and expressed his gratitude to UWindsor, his family, friends, past teammates and coaches who helped make the moment possible.

“It was a full-circle moment to propose at the place I first saw her,” he said.

When asked what he would say to the young football player running off the field, knowing he would one day propose to the girl with the smile, he laughed and replied, “Good for you, lucky you!”