Posted: 4/4/06
Local couple to wed at T-Wolves game Friday
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Nichole Renk and Craig Hahn are big Minnesota Timberwolves fans.
REALLY BIG fans.
So big that theyíre getting married at the halftime of the Wolves game against the Utah Jazz this Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
They earned the unusual privilege after winning a contest that the Timberwolves offered to fans. The prize includes two suites at the game, extra tickets for family and friends, a rehearsal dinner, hotel room, marriage license, and a honeymoon trip to Cancun, valued at $1,600.
ìWe also get to meet some of the Timberwolves and take pictures with them before the game,î Renk said.
Renk and Hahn, who have been dating for 5-1/2 years, wrote an essay about their relationship and why they should be married at the halftime of a Timberwolves game.
They heard about the contest while a attending a Wolves game on January 20. At first they were skeptical, but when they went to another game two days later, they thought, ìWhy not?î
Were they surprised that they won? ìOh my God, yes,î Renk said.
She said it will be a real wedding with a real pastor. But similarities with a conventional wedding probably end there. The bridal party will wear Timberwolves jerseys. One of the groomsmen will be Crunch, the team mascot. His cohort, Little Crunch, will be the ring bearer.
About 70 family and friends are planning on attending, Craig said. The maid of honor is Leslie Kittleson. Bridesmaids are Erica Renk, Michelle Meiners, and Dawn Schuttemeier. The best man is Gordy Hahn. Groomsmen are Michael Renk, Troy LeJeune, and Crunch.
Nichole and Craig were notified by email on March 23 that they won, but Renk didn't open the email until the morning of March 27. They had until noon that day to respond. Nichole called Craig at Miken Sports in Caledonia, where he works, and they decided to do it.
ìWe had kind of given up hope because we hadn't heard from then and the basketball season is almost over,î Hahn said.
Since then, there have been a lot of phone calls back and forth. They are cramming in tasks that normally take about 11 months into 11 days.
ìItís very stressful,î Renk said. ìIt will just be chaotic.î
But they are excited too, Hahn said. They'll just have to go with the flow, he said. ìIt will be a lot of fun, definitely be a lot of fun.î
The unique wedding is a good match for the two very loyal Timberwolves fans. ìThis fits our personality to a T, otherwise we wouldnít have even thought about a contest,î Renk said.
The game will be televised on Fox Sports Network North, but Craig isnít sure how much if any of the wedding will be shown.
The couple plans to have a reception in the Caledonia area sometime this spring or summer.
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