Brian Copeland from Washington, Mich., first saw Amanda McDonald from Oak Park Mich., at a local pool hall when they were on opposing APA teams playing each other on League night 5 years ago. The two remained friends until finally becoming a couple in July 2013. Brian decided that he wanted to propose to Amanda while at the National Team Championships! They ended up getting engaged on Wednesday evening, Aug. 14, in front of the fountains at the Bellagio.
“The APA has played a huge part in our life,” Brian said. “If it wasn’t for the APA Pool League I don’t know if I ever would have met the woman of my dreams. It is definitely fitting that the proposal be in a place that we both love visiting and during the event that is so true and dear to both of us.”
Pool affords the two of them the opportunity to spend time with one another and practice getting better. They don’t currently play on the same team, but hope to in the near future.
“Our favorite part about APA is sharing our passion for pool with teammates as well as the other teams,” Brian said. “Practicing, competing, and constantly striving to get better are some reasons why we love being part of an APA team.”
Amanda was in Vegas competing in the 8-Ball Doubles Championship, while Brian came along to support Amanda and play in MiniMania. Brian’s son, Thomas Copeland, and Amanda’s sister, Christine McDonald, also made the trip to Vegas with them.