Alumni get engaged on Family Day

  Monday, September 19, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

She thought she was there for a group picture by the gorilla statue in Champions Plaza.

But moments later, Leah Flynn received the surprise of a lifetime.

It was Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

Family Day. 

Shortly after the pic with her former Pitt State volleyball teammates, Flynn was escorted by her boyfriend, Kell Smalley, to a special paver in Champions Plaza.

It read, “Kell & Leah Smalley #OAGAAG.”

That’s when Smalley dropped to one knee.

“Our first chapter began at Pitt State when we met in the PSU athletics training room,” said Smalley, a 2011 graduate and member of the 2011 national championship football team. “I wanted our next chapter to start here, too.”

Flynn, a 2013 graduate, said yes.

"I was absolutely shocked and couldn’t say yes fast enough," Flynn said. "We started our lives together in Pittsburg, and he planned such a fun weekend with all of our friends and old college teammates to bring us back to the place where we began. I am so thankful for THE BEST friends, family and future husband. We have such great memories at Pittsburg State, and I’m glad we could add more even after we are gone."