The story begins and flourishes in the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band (SOSA). When Shelby first laid eyes on Conner in 2015, her older sister was attending UTSA and playing the saxophone in SOSA. She was Conner’s section leader when he joined as a freshman. All it took was a picture of his dazzling smile and Shelby called dibs on her future Husband.

Two years later, The Future Mrs. Conner Smith was preparing to go to UTSA and join the marching band. Shelby decided to switch from flute to saxophone, claiming that she had always wanted to play that instrument. It was during those Monday-Wednesday-Friday rehearsals on the practice field where a college romance began.

One semester into their time together as a budding couple, Conner left the country for his study abroad semester in Italy with the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Distance only made the heart grow fonder and their relationship grew after four months of long-distance - 5,781 miles to be exact.

At the heart of their college experience are the memories they made in SOSA. They both served on SOSA Staff and loved recruiting new members to join. At the end of their marching band career, they were voted “cutest couple” by their peers and awarded the first two spots as inductees into the SOSA Hall of Fame.

It was divine timing that led Shelby to finish school in three years and graduate with Conner in May 2020. They navigated their last senior semester together in a COVID world and found jobs in education working for San Antonio school districts. Come Conner’s first paycheck at his new job, he bought the ring that he would propose with on October 25th, 2020.

On June 10, 2021 Conner and Shelby were wed in Spring Branch, TX on a sunny day with family and friends in attendance. Just before announcing the new couple for the first time, Rowdy the Roadrunner made a surprise appearance to the excited guests.

They owed it to their university and to SOSA for bringing them together and always offering support. Both Conner and Shelby were recipients of the UTSA Alumni scholarship and children of Roadrunner Alumni parents. They proudly sport their orange and blue and continue their new chapter together as Roadrunners, now and forever.

The UTSA Alumni Association family wishes Conner and Shelby Smith a lifetime of love and rowdiness!

Photo credit: Ann Mark Photography