Nicole Forsythe (BS ’21, MS ’23) and Dalton Garrett (BS ’21,) first locked eyes as freshmen during a 2017 football game tailgate after being introduced by a mutual friend.
After that, each practically had a guaranteed gameday buddy for Tiger home games.
“After that first meeting, we went to every football game together for the rest of the season, including the Liberty Bowl game,” Nicole said. “We spent long nights laughing — with some studying in the University Center Tech Hub — and bonded over cheering for the Tigers together. It was where our love story began.”
Fast forward through countless football and basketball games together to April 12.
The two Tiger fans tied the knot at the Woodruff-Fontaine House as Mr. and Mrs. Garrett.
As a special surprise for the love they shared for the Memphis Tigers, Nicole surprised her new husband with a guest appearance by UofM mascot, Pouncer, during their reception.
“I thought the surprise was incredible,” Dalton said. “Truly a cherry on top for our entire wedding that had the UofM’s fingerprints all over it. I can’t believe she pulled this surprise off, best wedding gift ever!”
“This was a surprise from the bride to the groom,” Nicole said. “We bonded over our love for Tiger athletics. Some of our best memories together have been watching the Tigers.”
Bonding Through Tiger Athletics
Those memories included traveling to the Cotton Bowl in 2019.
“One of my favorite memories as a couple is traveling to Fort Worth and watching the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl,” Dalton said. “It was a great game, an even better time spent with friends. We traveled with her (Nicole’s) family for the first time which kickstarted where we are now.”
Another tradition for the couple is camping out to attend games together.
Their first time camping was on Beale Street in 2018 when the Tigers men’s basketball team took on the University of Tennessee. Their second time was in 2019, also on Beale Street, for College Game Day when Memphis took on Southern Methodist University (SMU).
“We never missed a basketball game while we were students and have now been season ticket holders since we graduated. I have been a Tigers fan my whole life,” Nicole said.
Nicole remembers her first memories of Tiger basketball during her time as a ball girl (floor sweepers who kept the court clear) watching Derrick Rose play on the court before he was drafted in the 2008 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
“Me and my dad traveled to the Final Four that year to see the team play,” she said. She also traveled with her dad to the 2011 Maui Invitational.
When planning for celebrations leading up to their wedding day, Dalton even planned his bachelor party to coincide with the Tigers vs Tulane game in New Orleans, La., during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Over 90% of their wedding guests are graduates of the University of Memphis. “The UofM not only brought us to each other, but also all of our dearest friends,” Nicole said.
Their college experience was not only filled with memories attending games, but the couple also served as student leaders — Nicole being involved with Frosh Camp, the Panhellenic Council and Tiger Elite — Dalton with the Interfraternity Executive Council and Up ‘til Dawn, a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Today Dalton works as an annuity care associate for Raymond James. Nicole serves as the assistant director for Dual Enrollment & Early Postsecondary Programs in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation at the UofM.
“When I talk to students and families about the University of Memphis,” she said. “I hope that they feel the true love and admiration I have for the University. I think that is how I connect with students most — sharing my testimony and experience.”
“The UofM brought us both out of our shells — giving us the confidence to chase our dreams in our own lives while supporting each other’s goals,” Nicole said.
