The University of Texas Permian Basin is a place where Falcons find a community: friends, mentors, and maybe even become lovebirds.
This Valentine’s Day we’re sharing those stories of love and how UTPB brought these couples together.
Alex Sanchez & Matthew Belli-Rosas
Do you believe in love that feels meant to be? Alex Sanchez and Matthew Belli-Rosas definitely do.
They met in an unusual way. Both were participating in a student flag football tournament at UTPB in 2023 when Alex was hit in the face with a football. Matthew was the one who ran over to check on her. She was okay, but that moment changed her life forever.
Later, they ran into each other at a Baptist Student Ministry worship night and in the Kirk. They seemed to see each other everywhere they went and quickly learned a lot about one another.
“I think it was a very important introduction to each other’s lives,” Alex said. “Being able to understand our passions, interests, and overall, the important areas of our lives that would connect us in our future relationship.”
The couple is very grateful they both chose to be Falcons, and UTPB will forever be an important part of their lives. In fact, they got engaged at Alex’s graduation ceremony!
“I couldn't stop smiling when the proposal happened, and I couldn’t have pictured a better way for it to happen,” Alex said.
Last year, the couple welcomed their first baby girl. This coming April, they will be officially getting married in Odessa.
“We will always remember UTPB as the wonderful and special place that brought us together,” Alex said.
Noelani St Clair & Thomas Geiger
This love story is about two Falcon athletes: a dancer and a baseball player. These two met while Noelani St Clair was performing with the UTPB Dance Team at a basketball game in 2024. She says they have been inseparable since, and this March will be their second anniversary.
During the middle of a long practice week for Noelani, Thomas Geiger asked her on their first date.
“I knew from that day something was different about him, and that one way or another he would always be in my life in some way,” Noelani said.
Noelani credits UTPB for bringing them together and is very thankful they both chose to be Falcons.
“With the amount of campus activities like sports and Campus Activities Board events, we were able to cross paths and build a connection,” Noelani said. “I am thankful for UTPB Baseball for bringing him to the University and grateful to UTPB Dance for giving me the opportunity to perform and attend events that led me to him and other great friends I met along the way.”
They’ve both graduated from UTPB in the past year and are currently long distance to pursue their dreams. Noelani is working at an accounting firm while getting her MBA online from UTPB, and Thomas is pursuing professional baseball.
