The University of Mississippi Athletics
A Pair of Rebels Tie the Knot
7/16/2007 | Track and Field
Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
During the school year, it was not very often that Ole Miss basketball star Todd Abernethy was not in his jersey or practice clothes. It was the same story for Micah Pioreck getting to change out of her track gear and hang up her cleats.
However, these two Rebels got to trade in their respective sports uniforms for a wedding dress and tuxedo, as Pioreck and Abernethy exchanged vows and wedding rings in front of friends and family over the weekend.
The couple’s story begins the night before classes started their freshman year in 2003 when the two were sent to pick up their books in the university’s student union. The Midwestern boy from
“Someone introduced me to him, and I thought he was the cutest thing in the world,” Pioreck said.
“We started out as friends,” Abernethy said. “We both played sports, so that was a big connection. We were both also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. So we started hanging out, and then later on started developing feelings.”
Those feelings eventually turned into a relationship, however Pioreck was quick to say that theirs was definitely not like any “normal” college relationship. With Abernethy’s basketball practices and games during the winter season and Pioreck’s cross country and track schedule in the fall and spring, it seems like they would not have the time to see each other. Somehow, the pair made it work.
“We got to see each other, but we would be tired,” Pioreck said. “I would have just finished running 10 miles and he just got done with a three-hour practice, so we would be super tired and sore.”
It was through Abernethy and Pioreck’s participation in FCA that allowed them to not only see each other but helped their relationship grow spiritually. Their involvement in the organization’s activities let Pioreck see exactly what drew her to Abernethy.
“I would pray to God that I wanted to marry a guy like that,” Pioreck said. “He is the first man that I ever met who wanted to be so much like Jesus. I would pray, Lord, I want to marry Todd.’”
What Pioreck didn’t know was that her prayer would soon be answered.
After about a year of dating, Abernethy would carry out a plan to surprise Pioreck with a proposal. With Valentine’s Day 2007 around the corner, Abernethy set it up to where the couple could celebrate the holiday the Sunday before, since he had a home game against LSU on the special day.
The scene was set in her apartment. Pioreck and Abernethy chose to eat at Newk’s restaurant in
“She thought that after dinner I would just go home because I needed to study, but I told her I would come up for 10 minutes,” Abernethy said. “I played dumb to the whole wedding thing. She had no idea that I was looking at rings or knew anything about them.”
Upon entering the apartment, Pioreck noticed the setting but didn’t realize it was for her.
“I thought my roommate’s boyfriend did all this, so I said we need to get out of here,” Pioreck said. “Todd kind of brainwashed me into thinking he was not going to do it anytime soon. I guess he knew how much I loved him and felt enough security to ask.”
Abernethy began to perform a song he wrote for her. At the end of the serenade, he went down on his knee and popped the question, and Pioreck responded with the answer he wanted.
Wedding plans followed, and on Saturday, the couple tied the knot on the
The unique reception saw the wedding party enter the fellowship hall in a basketball-style starting lineup, complete with jock jams and a spirited introduction courtesy of Jason Cook from the Rebel football team.
Afterwards, the couple soared off to
Abernethy said his wife will have no pressure to find work, but that she could possibly teach English or work in local missionaries.
“I’m excited about going,” Pioreck said. “I may change my mind once I get on the plane, but right now I’m so excited. I just trust him that everything will work out.”
As for when little Todds and Micahs will be seen running around, both agree that some time needs to pass first.
“We want to enjoy a couple of years together and travel,” Abernethy said. “So no kids are on the radar right now.”
“Todd wants a big family,” Pioreck said. “I don’t know what he’s thinking as we are both unemployed at the moment. But we both love kids, so I would say maybe three years down the road.”
No matter when kids come into the picture, it is more than obvious that these two are in love by just listening to them talk about each other.
“She is just a girl with great character, and I respect her as a woman and what she stands for,” Abernethy said. “I love that she is in love with me like I am for her and supports me. I feel lucky. I feel that I don’t deserve her.”
Pioreck talked about how Abernethy’s popularity around the Ole Miss campus and
“He is just so sweet,” Pioreck said. “He treats me like a queen. He is perfect.”