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Hawks keeping promise to pay for ‘Swipe Right Night’ couple’s wedding

Ben McCleskey, 21, and Avery Armstrong, 23, started dating after the first Hawks Tinder night.  PHOTO BY HELENA OLIVIERO
Ben McCleskey, 21, and Avery Armstrong, 23, started dating after the first Hawks Tinder night.  PHOTO BY HELENA OLIVIERO
By Helena Oliviero
July 11, 2017

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin is keeping his promise to pay for - and host - the wedding of Ben McCleskey and Avery Armstrong, a couple who started dating after the NBA team's first "Swipe Right Night" in 2015.

Last March, The AJC connected with Ben, Avery, and Koonin at “Swipe Right Night 2.0” after the couple was selected to sit in Harry's Love Nest. That’s when Koonin made the promise to the couple who already had one thing in common: a love for the Atlanta Hawks.

The couple were acquaintances when the Hawks hosted its first Tinder night in January 2015, but decided to meet face-to-face at the Tinder Night. The Shorter University college students have been together ever since. They both enjoy going to Hawks games and returned to a game together for "Swipe Right Night 2.0" 

And When Koonin heard the couple was still going strong, he told them if they get married, the Hawks would be happy to host the wedding.

“My treat,” he said.

Response from Koonin:

No word yet on date and venue. 

Here is video from the Tinder night:

Hawks Tinder Night Helena

MORE ON HAWKS: Q and A: Schlenk says Hawks plan is to invest in the future

About the Author

joined the AJC in 2002 as a features writer.

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