Sports and love go hand in hand on many occasions. The University Star interviewed three couples who met at Texas State that were involved in or currently surround their lives with Texas State Athletics.

Claudia and Joseph Hill

Claudia and Joseph Hill first met at Alkek Library in February 2020. On the same day the two met, they went on their first date to Panera and talked all night long.

Shortly after Claudia and Joseph’s first date, COVID-19 shut the world down, leading Claudia to move back home while Joseph stayed in San Marcos. The two made it work however as both took trips to see each other. Eventually, Joseph asked Claudia to be his girlfriend along the Blanco River, and proposed in the same spot.

According to Claudia, COVID-19 was a “teaser” for their relationship, as Joseph spends a lot of time with baseball as the director of baseball operations. It’s no bother to Claudia however, as she now spends a lot of time with and around the baseball program while also cherishing the time the two get together on days off. Claudia even remarked that she knows more about baseball than she thought she ever would.

“I’ve learned a lot about baseball in the five or six years [we’ve been together], some of our best friends are [the coaching staff]…we love it, it’s amazing.” Claudia said.

Even with Claudia still learning new things about baseball, one of the things Joseph has enjoyed learning about Claudia over the last five years was how much she already knew about the game. 

 “I didn’t know if she had any knowledge of baseball at all, and obviously it’s a big part of my life, but I shortly learned she actually did know a lot more than I thought she did.” Joseph said. [Outside of baseball] “I’ve learned how loving she is, how much she loves family, God…I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Being that Joseph and Claudia are on the younger side in comparison to other couples on the Bobcat baseball coaching staff, they both describe their relationship as the life of the party.

“[We] are very much outgoing and the life of the party…being the younger couple, we are always asking to go out for drinks and when we do get out, we keep [our friends] out for a while.” Claudia said.

While their friends see Claudia and Joseph for their outgoing personalities, the couple each have their own favorite things about each other.

“I think that [Joseph’s] patience is one of my favorite things,” Claudia said. “His optimism [is great too], when there are hard times in our life, he’s very optimistic and positive.

Joseph pointed to Claudia’s support as what stands out to him.

“She’s always there for me when I need it, whenever I come home from a long miserable day, she’s always there for me.” Joseph said. “She always has the right words to say…It’s nice knowing that I always have her in my corner.”

Jerika and Joe Holweger

“Love finds a way.”

Jerika and Joe Holweger met at Wurstfest in 2015 through a mutual friend. The pair had previously met a few months prior, but their connection didn’t click until Joe hitched a ride back from Wurstfest to San Marcos with Jerika’s group.

Joe played for the Texas State hockey team, and though Jerika didn’t know much about hockey, she bought tickets to a San Antonio Rampage game for their first date, along with two of their friends.

“We just really hit it off and had a great time, and then the four of us decided to take off to Colorado that same night after the hockey game for a ski trip,” Jerika said. “We always say that our first date was really in Colorado because it was an extended four days of us just hanging out.”

Joe graduated in May 2016 and had plans to move to China to teach English before meeting Jerika, who was set to graduate in 2017. They planned to keep things casual, but that didn’t last long.

“It’s funny, like initially, whenever we first got together, and I knew that I was going to be moving, I was like ‘Oh, I probably shouldn’t take this too seriously. I’m about to move across the world for who knows how long,’” Joe said. “But you don’t exactly get to pick who you fall in love with.”

Joe was in China for two years, and the distance was hard for the pair at times. Jerika said their schedules were completely opposite, and it was often difficult to find time for each other.

“It really takes dedication and true love,” Jerika said. “We had a few months where we just weren’t sure what was going to happen, but I think at the end of the day, we both knew that we loved each other. If we were meant to have a future, it would all work itself out.”

The couple is now married with a baby girl on the way in March. They recently relocated from Texas to Florida due to an opportunity Joe had at work.

“Jerika’s never missed a beat and just works hard in everything that she does,” Joe said. “No matter how tired she is or whatever’s going on, she is always here to support me, and she’s decided to continue being with me across the U.S.”

While Jerika said it’s hard being away from family while getting ready to start a family, she is prepared for whatever is ahead as long as Joe is by her side.

“We obviously miss home, but it’s kind of like we’re each other’s home,” Jerika said. “Wherever we are together, we’re happy, and we make it work.”

Rachel and Ethan Troxell

The pair both started their freshman year at Texas State in 2015 on completely separate paths, as Rachel danced with the Strutters while Ethan played on the ultimate frisbee team. Though they both lived in San Jacinto Hall, Rachel and

Ethan didn’t formally meet until later in the year through a mutual friend.

This mutual friend, a teammate of Ethan’s, knew Rachel from high school. After finally meeting, they hung out with each other and started officially dating when they came back to San Marcos once summer ended. The two haven’t split since.

“I think what’s great about our relationship is we don’t take life too seriously,” Rachel said. “We’re open to opportunities and adventures and we just love each other very deeply. We move through life with that love at the forefront, through anything.”

They both said that Texas State played a massive role in their relationship. Ethan noted that if they both hadn’t been at the right place at the right time, they would have never met.

The pair has been together since 2016, and tied the knot  in 2025.

“Don’t lock in if you’re not 100% sure,” Ethan said. “We’ve changed tremendously throughout that time…make sure you’re making the right decision because you are making a commitment for life under God.”

During their time together, Rachel and Ethan learned just the amount of change there is between not just their own relationship, but also themselves as individuals as they change from college students into functioning adults.

“I never realized how much I would change in a relationship for the better,” Rachel said. “Realizing what you need to work on and how to love somebody and show up for them in a different way.”

Managing Editor Rhian Davis and Assistant Sports Editor Ayden Oredson contributed to this story