It's a story you might expect to hear as a fairy-tale, a college tennis star falls in love with a college track star, after an accidental meeting during practice on an adjoining field. Although it makes for a romantic storyline, it is the real-life story of ASU student-athletes Reka Cseresnyes and Jared Schreiber.
Former Arizona State University women's tennis star and All-American athlete, Cseresnyes, and former ASU javelin thrower, Schreiber, have been married for 20 years now. Although they live nearly ten thousand miles away from the place they first met, they often reflect back on their days in Arizona while in college.
Apart from figuring out the balance of being a college student-athlete while juggling their schoolwork, these two had their love to consider. Luckily, the tennis courts and track field were right next to each other. From constantly bumping into one another, to Schreiber throwing shanked tennis balls back over to the courts for Cseresnyes, then to Schreiber finally having the guts to ask her out during their senior year, their relationship bloomed.
Their first date was at an ASU basketball game in late December of 1997. Being young and hard-working athletes and students, they understandably took advantage of the fact that students could attend games for free.
"It's funny because neither one of us were into basketball, so we just chatted the whole time," said Schreiber.
After Laughing and getting to know each other on the sidelines that cold December night, the two continued investing in each other and their growing love, but never forgetting their first love for their school and sports. From an ASU maroon and gold inspired wedding theme, to their matching Sun Devil bride and groom wedding cake topper, it was clearly an undoubted nod to their former school.
Now, many years later, they are living in Hungary with their three children: Atila (boy 18), Anna (girl 16) and András (boy 14).
Schreiber and Cseresnyes definitely left their mark on the Sun Devil territory- creating memories and legacies to carry forever. But, others made a mark on them, too.
One unforgettable friendship that was created during their academic and athletic years was the bond between Cseresnyes and famous former football star, Pat Tillman.
"I was very lucky to have met Pat in my first weekend in my freshman year at ASU," said Cseresnyes.
"We ended up in math tutoring together - we both weren't weak in math, but being driven we wanted to do well, so it was a very special friendship that we developed during those math tutoring sessions."
Cseresnyes was named ASU's top female athlete alongside Tillman. "It was a great honor, and I don't think I realized it back then how special that truly was because it was Pat," said Cseresnyes.
With these deep friendships, fond memories, monumental triumphs, personal growth and life lessons, the married couple was able to walk away from ASU with more than each other and trophies, but with advice for current and future athletes.
"There are different forms of growth," said Schreiber. "There are the moments where you've recognized, 'I've done something, and I've made it' and then there the other is realizing that you stumble, and you've got to work harder.".
"I think that's the beauty of athletics is that it really teaches you to be disciplined because if you don't stay on a certain schedule, diet or attitude, that it will very quickly show in your results," said Cseresnyes.
The couple explained that discipline does not mean sacrifice or deprivation, but rather multiple parts working in harmony to be your best self.
"Don't get in your mind that you're somehow competing with each other, that these are trade-offs that you're making- think of them more as locking pieces to a puzzle that make you whole," added Schreiber. "For you are investing in yourself, your health and long-term well-being, as well as your teammates."
As for their marriage, they shared advice on the secret to a long and loving relationship and what worked for them.
"I think it was helpful that our relationship began as a friendship and became something more, so we've always just been friends first," said Schreiber.
Building a relationship on a steady foundation such as a solid friendship, is what they believe truly sparked (pun intended) their love for one another.
"It's going to sound cheesy, but just fundamentally love- you know? Everyone is going to have challenges," said Cseresnyes.
She continued… "If every night you make sure you hug each other goodnight, whatever challenge you had, you'll get through that challenge with the mindset that you want to get through it and you will do it together."
"We always go to bed knowing we love each other," Schreiber chimed in.
The perfect match: love for each other, a team, friends, school and a little competition - if you end the day hugging someone you love, then you not only discovered the secret to a successful Valentine's Day, but to a happy and successful life.
Former Arizona State University women's tennis star and All-American athlete, Cseresnyes, and former ASU javelin thrower, Schreiber, have been married for 20 years now. Although they live nearly ten thousand miles away from the place they first met, they often reflect back on their days in Arizona while in college.
Apart from figuring out the balance of being a college student-athlete while juggling their schoolwork, these two had their love to consider. Luckily, the tennis courts and track field were right next to each other. From constantly bumping into one another, to Schreiber throwing shanked tennis balls back over to the courts for Cseresnyes, then to Schreiber finally having the guts to ask her out during their senior year, their relationship bloomed.
Their first date was at an ASU basketball game in late December of 1997. Being young and hard-working athletes and students, they understandably took advantage of the fact that students could attend games for free.
"It's funny because neither one of us were into basketball, so we just chatted the whole time," said Schreiber.
After Laughing and getting to know each other on the sidelines that cold December night, the two continued investing in each other and their growing love, but never forgetting their first love for their school and sports. From an ASU maroon and gold inspired wedding theme, to their matching Sun Devil bride and groom wedding cake topper, it was clearly an undoubted nod to their former school.
Now, many years later, they are living in Hungary with their three children: Atila (boy 18), Anna (girl 16) and András (boy 14).
Schreiber and Cseresnyes definitely left their mark on the Sun Devil territory- creating memories and legacies to carry forever. But, others made a mark on them, too.
One unforgettable friendship that was created during their academic and athletic years was the bond between Cseresnyes and famous former football star, Pat Tillman.
"I was very lucky to have met Pat in my first weekend in my freshman year at ASU," said Cseresnyes.
"We ended up in math tutoring together - we both weren't weak in math, but being driven we wanted to do well, so it was a very special friendship that we developed during those math tutoring sessions."
Cseresnyes was named ASU's top female athlete alongside Tillman. "It was a great honor, and I don't think I realized it back then how special that truly was because it was Pat," said Cseresnyes.
With these deep friendships, fond memories, monumental triumphs, personal growth and life lessons, the married couple was able to walk away from ASU with more than each other and trophies, but with advice for current and future athletes.
"There are different forms of growth," said Schreiber. "There are the moments where you've recognized, 'I've done something, and I've made it' and then there the other is realizing that you stumble, and you've got to work harder.".
"I think that's the beauty of athletics is that it really teaches you to be disciplined because if you don't stay on a certain schedule, diet or attitude, that it will very quickly show in your results," said Cseresnyes.
The couple explained that discipline does not mean sacrifice or deprivation, but rather multiple parts working in harmony to be your best self.
"Don't get in your mind that you're somehow competing with each other, that these are trade-offs that you're making- think of them more as locking pieces to a puzzle that make you whole," added Schreiber. "For you are investing in yourself, your health and long-term well-being, as well as your teammates."
As for their marriage, they shared advice on the secret to a long and loving relationship and what worked for them.
"I think it was helpful that our relationship began as a friendship and became something more, so we've always just been friends first," said Schreiber.
Building a relationship on a steady foundation such as a solid friendship, is what they believe truly sparked (pun intended) their love for one another.
"It's going to sound cheesy, but just fundamentally love- you know? Everyone is going to have challenges," said Cseresnyes.
She continued… "If every night you make sure you hug each other goodnight, whatever challenge you had, you'll get through that challenge with the mindset that you want to get through it and you will do it together."
"We always go to bed knowing we love each other," Schreiber chimed in.
The perfect match: love for each other, a team, friends, school and a little competition - if you end the day hugging someone you love, then you not only discovered the secret to a successful Valentine's Day, but to a happy and successful life.