Austin Flores and Maren Legg live and breathe Bowling Green.
It only seems appropriate that they would be crowned the University’s 2015 homecoming king and queen on Saturday afternoon during halftime of the football game against Akron.
As a Bowling Green native, Legg was immersed in the Falcon spirit from day one, watching football in the Doyt Stadium and basketball in the Anderson Arena. She grew up around campus and “loved everything that BG was about.”
Flores grew up just twenty minutes away from campus in Waterville, Ohio. His high school often held events on the University’s campus. Like Legg, he was also a fan of Falcon football. Before he came and visited for the first time, he was unsure of where he wanted to continue his education. After the visit, he knew that Bowling Green was for him.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, it was my tour guide. It was people opening doors for me. It was Frieda and Freddie Falcon on a Falcon Friday. It was everything like that I fell in love with… After my visit, I told my parents and friends that BG was for me,” Flores said.
Over the past four years, Flores and Legg have developed a greater love for BG and have devoted much of their time to the University, whether in their involvement with campus organizations or their work in the admissions office.
Last year Legg was Frieda Falcon. She vividly remembers last year’s homecoming, as she was Frieda during the football game. Being on the other side of the royalty experience was incredible and completely unexpected, Legg said.
Besides being Frieda last year, Legg is heavily involved in H2O, a Christian church on campus. She has been a leader and an intern with them the past three years.
Freshman year, Flores was selected as a member of a steering board for Dance Marathon. Since then, he has worked his way up to be mini-marathon chair and assistant director of internal affairs. This year he serves as the director and overseer of the whole program. He is also a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity on campus.
Being crowned homecoming king and queen topped off their experience at the University, like a cherry on a sundae, Flores said. As their senior year wraps up, the two new members of Bowling Green royalty accredit Bowling Green with giving them the opportunities in academics and student involvement that have prepared them for their future after graduation this spring.
Flores plans on attending graduate school to pursue student affairs and higher education programs. Legg is considering a master’s in social work or counseling.
While their time as Falcons may be coming to a close in the spring, their connections, experiences and memories made here will not be forgotten.
“I’m part of a community now. I’m a Falcon for life, and I’ll cherish that forever,” Flores said.
