Maryland Love Connection: Andrew and Lindsay Crummey

Thank goodness for close proximity.

It’s not uncommon for athletes at the University of Maryland to be grouped up in the same areas, dorm halls, and dorm rooms on campus.

As some of the busiest students in College Park, the schedule of a student-athlete is rigorous, but being around so many so often, friendships and relationships are quick to form.

Two decades ago, it was pure coincidence when former Maryland softball player Lindsay Klein and former Terps football player Andrew Crummey ran into each other on campus. Still, their interactions blossomed into a lifelong relationship, marriage, and family.

“We had no expectations coming in, but it worked out well for us,” Andrew said. “We took pride in the fact that we both played sports at a prestigious university. We both got great educations. Both built great careers. Our time at Maryland was positive. We have a lot of respect for Maryland. We stay engaged. Our kids have been back to a couple games and we’re getting them more involved over time.”

Andrew and Lindsay were transplants when they first stepped on campus in 2003. 

Andrew, born and raised in Van Wert, Ohio, a town of just under 11,000, was recruited to College Park by former football coach Ralph Friedgen as an offensive lineman. 

Maryland, coming off an 11-win season and a win in the Peach Bowl, was one of the premier programs in the ACC at the time.

Nearly 2,200 miles away in Orange, California, Lindsay competed in one of the best softball areas in the country, coming across the US to College Park, bringing some West Coast flair to the East Coast.

“We’re both transplants to Maryland,” Andrew said. “We came from out-of-state. We stayed in Maryland and we’re transplants where we live.”

Athletes for Maryland are grouped together on South Campus, so often, the two would see each other in and out of dorms, eating at South Campus Diner and at different parties and other events.

The two clicked like that; sharing similar interests and a hard-working mentality toward success in their respective sports created that initial spark.

Andrew being redshirted his freshman year also allowed them to hang out more often early on, and some of their earliest memories together were nothing short of fun.

“One of the first nights that we hung out, we were on the roof of Charles Hall throwing water balloons at people,” Lindsay said. “It was a very fun evening…I wasn’t expecting to find my husband my freshman year. I don’t think anyone does.”

As the two didn’t have conflicting season schedules, Andrew playing in the fall and Lindsay in the spring allowed them to support each other at their respective games.

Amongst crowds of 50,000+ at Maryland Stadium or smaller crowds at softball games, the two were there for each other, but it made things a bit more stressful having that personal connection to the action.

“I already loved going to football games,” Lindsay said. “It was a lot of fun, but definitely nerve-wracking because football is such an intense sport. Andrew was really good so it was fun to watch.”

As the two became more serious once sophomore year came around, not only was love in the air, but they were dominating their respective sports.

Lindsay still holds the Maryland record for most career doubles with 46 and sits second in runs batted in (148), fourth in hits (206), and fifth in home runs (23).

At the same time, Andrew was making a case to play in the National Football League, being named to the All-ACC second team as a junior and senior and the All-American second team as a senior.

“The culture of sports has still dominated our life,” Andrew said. “We’re highly motivated, accountable people and we do look back fondly on our past with sports. It’s an achievement we’re both proud of. It still defines us in a number of ways.”

Lindsay graduated from Maryland in 2007 after a four-year career and stayed in the area to support Andrew in his redshirt senior season in the fall of 2007 and, eventually, through his process of preparing for and participating in the NFL Combine in February 2008.

Lindsay began her career in real estate locally, and the two moved into an apartment. Like their beginnings, having that support structure was beyond important to Andrew.

“She was a big support during my senior season,” Andrew said. “She was a nice support structure to have. That part was really positive.”

Andrew’s professional career began soon after, playing professionally from 2008-11 with the Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and parts of two seasons with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL.

The two settled in Maryland, finding a place to live in Baltimore City. Then, after a nearly eight-year relationship in March 2011, Andrew popped the question, the one the two joked about, seeming like it would never actually happen.

“Andrew is a child of three, so it was a long-running joke of ‘Why don’t you just get married because you’ve been together for so long,” Lindsay said. “What’s funny is I got to a certain point and I got pregnant in 2011, and his brothers always make fun of him that ‘Oh, it took Lindsay to get pregnant for you to finally pop the question.’”

What made the day that much funnier was that Andrew hadn’t bought an engagement ring until the day of.

Lindsay surprised him with Cirque Du Soleil tickets, and he surprised her with the ring.

“The guy asked me when I needed it by and I said, ‘Well, now. I was planning on proposing in about four hours,’” Andrew said. “I didn’t realize that they had to set the diamond and the ring and all that. I was confused, but the guy called up the jeweler quick and it all worked out.”

The first of three kids for the Crummeys was born in November, and on May 11, 2013, they tied the knot in front of family, friends, and many former Maryland teammates either in the wedding party or in attendance.

Maryland was such an influential part of their lives, and it continued to be as the two eloped.

“I had a couple of teammates there who were in the wedding party and same for Lindsay,” Andrew said. “It was a Terp wedding.”

They welcomed twins into the family in January 2014, and now, the family of five continues to keep College Park close as Lindsay and Andrew, in May, will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

Coincidence became meant to be; the two wouldn’t change that for anything.

“It’s crazy that we’ve been together for almost more than we’ve been apart,” Lindsay said. “Yeah, it’s crazy. We’re definitely each other’s partners in life.”