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Udell and Janet Meyers visited Hanson Field on Tuesday, the 67th anniversary of when they met.
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The Meyers talked shared their experience coming back to WIU, expressing how wonderful it was to be back on campus and reliving the memories they made as students.
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WIU Couple Visits Exact Spot They Met 67 Years Ago

September 27, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - Looking out over Hanson Field, Udell and Janet Meyers were immediately transported back to one of the most important nights of their lives.

"This just feels right," Udell said, pointing to the southwest side of the football field, remembering the night he met his future wife 67 years ago. "It rained on us the entire trip up from Tennessee, but now everything is clear. There's azure blue skies here."

It didn't take long for the courtship to begin after Udell arrived on campus. On September 24, 1957, he saw Janet performing as a member of the WIU marching band during a football game and knew she was someone he needed to meet.

"I was a freshman and she was a sophomore and I thought, ‘Will I have a chance?'" Udell said. "I wanted to be cool and we were introduced. A few of us went to the A&W Root Beer and eventually I asked her if she would go to the ball with me. She said yes. Our romance, our courtship, it was all here on this campus. It's hallowed ground in a sense to us."

Exactly two years after meeting, Udell asked for Janet's hand in marriage and has been married for 64 years.

Udell and Janet remember being able to walk everywhere together on campus, between classes and going into town for some special treats.

"Through the rain, snow and everything," Janet said. "We'd go to Rose Dairy, it's not there now, but that's where we'd always go."

Coming back to WIU and revisiting these memories 67 years later, Udell encourages students of this era to grab a hold of their opportunities to create lasting memories and not let a moment slip by.

"You have an opportunity to create precious memories like we had," Udell said. "Don't look back on your days and think you did this or that wrong. We all have those, but these experiences are going to be in your treasure chest forever. We remember our faculty, fellow students, where we met and everything from our time here.

"Whatever you do here will be with you the rest of your lives, so make it a precious memory and not a haunting one."

After both graduated in the early 1960s, Udell went on to join the Marines. He remembers receiving letters from legendary WIU football coach Ray "The Rock" Hanson, who was instrumental in bringing the Leatherneck name to the University.

"If you joined the Marine Corps, he kept in touch with you and encouraged you," Udell said.

The couple couldn't help but be emotional while visiting campus and reflected on all the good they see around the WIU and the surrounding community.

"Just coming back to this spot, seeing everything that's been done, it just restores my confidence and faith," Udell said. "It's a real testament to this school. It's about quality and having quality people. We have been treated so well coming back. You have quality here at Western."

Posted By: Aaron Viner (AP-Viner@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing