Did you play? I do not ask that to be mean (hope it does not sound that way) I just wonder. I know for myself and many of the players and coaches I deal with a ring is a big deal. Rings for whatever reason hold a place in football culture more than in any other sport.

 

For some schools it may not mean as much (maybe in the case of a school like Trinity it is not the ring but the number of rings that is important) but for school like Mercer or if Ryle had won..yeah that ring means a lot.

 

No offense taken...yes, I was fortunate enough to win two State AAA titles in the early 80's, and rings were never brought up. Maybe I'm just getting old. I don't have a real strong opinion on this, it just strikes me as a little unnecessary. I guess it's a neat piece of memorabilia to hang onto and show your grandkids...but the stories, the photos, press clippings, etc are more valuable to me.

I am sure they do mean alot to those players. Its just when you have more than one of something at times things may not seem as special to a degree.

 

Maybe the ring thing came more about in the mid to late 80s. I know growing up we all wanted a ring after seeing the varisty's rings. What I find strange is some schools buy their players runner up jewelry. That I do not understand. I think a ring has taken on a type of mystic in football now or maybe it has always been there.

I am sure they do mean alot to those players. Its just when you have more than one of something at times things may not seem as special to a degree.

 

Maybe the ring thing came more about in the mid to late 80s. I know growing up we all wanted a ring after seeing the varisty's rings. What I find strange is some schools buy their players runner up jewelry. That I do not understand. I think a ring has taken on a type of mystic in football now or maybe it has always been there.

 

You're probably right...btw, they're all special, never taken for grant it.

I am sure they do mean alot to those players. Its just when you have more than one of something at times things may not seem as special to a degree.

 

Maybe the ring thing came more about in the mid to late 80s. I know growing up we all wanted a ring after seeing the varisty's rings. What I find strange is some schools buy their players runner up jewelry. That I do not understand. I think a ring has taken on a type of mystic in football now or maybe it has always been there.

 

 

I think it's great that some programs do buy such rings. In our "win or nothing else" society we forget that making the finals is a great honor. Not as great as winning but a great honor none-the-less. If it weren't then why play the games in a neutral site that is a great experience to be there? Why do we talk about going to the 'ville? Why do people bring up "Final Four" in NCAA Basketball so much?

 

Didn't mean to jump on you about it but I thought that statement is a little rough to players who made it that far only to see their dreams fade in the Final. (For the record teams this year like Russell and Danville ought to see just how impressive their run was and know that but for a few breaks they would be putting on gold rings.) :thumb:

No offense taken...yes, I was fortunate enough to win two State AAA titles in the early 80's, and rings were never brought up. Maybe I'm just getting old. I don't have a real strong opinion on this, it just strikes me as a little unnecessary. I guess it's a neat piece of memorabilia to hang onto and show your grandkids...but the stories, the photos, press clippings, etc are more valuable to me.

 

They are a big deal with the champs now days. But past champions from Trinity in the early years didn't celebrate with rings. Rings started sometime during the Lampley era for Trinity. To each his own. I'll admit, most kids that I know with them wear them only a few times a year.

Unless I am Mistaken, the KHSAA does not give rings. It is up to the parents, boosters, etc to raise the money or pay for rings.

Great win for your kids and I know they are looking forward to getting their rings. So if a Rebel fan can jump in here for just a bit. You are correct, the KHSAA does not provide the rings. Our boosters and parents paid for all 5 of ours. The kids got together and picked out the design they wanted - they were sized and then their rings and the rings for all involved (mangers, coaches, etc. etc. - I counted around 90 something one year) and were presented to them at a ceremony that, IMO, was just great a few months after their wins. As runners up our kids were presented with a really nice watch with a wonderful face on the watch saying that they were runners up.

 

I know that some people don't think that a piece of jewelry is that important but these kids that play their hearts out for our entertainment and to come away the best in their class for a state championship deserves something. I just hope that all the seniors in the state that has already had their senior pictures taken will be able to go back and have a few more taken with their rings on their fingers!!!! We look back at our kids senior pictures and their favorite pictures are the ones with their rings on their fingers and their watch on their arms. What a wonderful memory for kids to have for the rest of their lives!!!!

 

I truly hope that all the kids who made it to the state will always remember this special time in their lives with pride for what they all accomplished. Good luck to all of you in the future and may you all have as much success with your life as you have had this year with your football endeavors.:thumb:

Great win for your kids and I know they are looking forward to getting their rings. So if a Rebel fan can jump in here for just a bit. You are correct, the KHSAA does not provide the rings. Our boosters and parents paid for all 5 of ours. The kids got together and picked out the design they wanted - they were sized and then their rings and the rings for all involved (mangers, coaches, etc. etc. - I counted around 90 something one year) and were presented to them at a ceremony that, IMO, was just great a few months after their wins. As runners up our kids were presented with a really nice watch with a wonderful face on the watch saying that they were runners up.

 

I know that some people don't think that a piece of jewelry is that important but these kids that play their hearts out for our entertainment and to come away the best in their class for a state championship deserves something. I just hope that all the seniors in the state that has already had their senior pictures taken will be able to go back and have a few more taken with their rings on their fingers!!!! We look back at our kids senior pictures and their favorite pictures are the ones with their rings on their fingers and their watch on their arms. What a wonderful memory for kids to have for the rest of their lives!!!!

 

I truly hope that all the kids who made it to the state will always remember this special time in their lives with pride for what they all accomplished. Good luck to all of you in the future and may you all have as much success with your life as you have had this year with your football endeavors.:thumb:

 

Did any of the kids really wear the runner-up watch?

Did any of the kids really wear the runner-up watch?

My kids do!!!!! Now not as often as you would a regular watch but this just isn't "any" watch and they don't want to take a chance of messing it up but yes, they do wear it.

Am I alone with the thought that rings are just silly? Maybe I'm just getting old, but do these kids really care about a ring? I can see a Super Bowl ring, a World Series ring...those are valuable pieces of jewelry in addition to being very unique, universally recognized memorabilia. The memories, the photos, the films, the banners at the high school, the inter-school legend of being on the "06 State Team", and the stories that will be told, and retold and retold are more than enough.

 

Yes you are alone, every kid that high school football means somthing too in ky dreams about a ring, wether a coach instills it in too them a parent or the program. Yes kids really care about the ring. The state championship ring is a superbowl ring to an 18 yerar old kid who has worked for this thing for most of the time 12 + years.

Did any of the kids really wear the runner-up watch?

 

We got runner-up madallions

The ring is your peice of the state trophy you get to keep FOREVER. The ring is important to everyone on the team from the starters to the backups who made the starters better every day in practice and did not get the glory but are just as important.

They are a big deal with the champs now days. But past champions from Trinity in the early years didn't celebrate with rings. Rings started sometime during the Lampley era for Trinity. To each his own. I'll admit, most kids that I know with them wear them only a few times a year.

To my knowledge, the 1983 team that went 14-0 was the first to order rings.

To quote Charlie Brown: "I got a rock". Actually I got a little gold plated (maybe gold painted) little football that the KHSAA used to award to the state champions. Now they get medallions from the KHSAA and anything else beyond that is up to the school, players and boosters as others have pointed out. The only ring I got from winning state was the ringing in my ear when Donnie Evans of Franklin Simpson hit me in the side of the head on a play in the state game. That was enough ring for me! If kids want real rings, let 'em have them. With the time and dedication it takes to win a state championship these days, they've certainly earned them.

I'm having to take third mortgage out for this years ring. These rings replace class rings. Every year they tend to get bigger....

Am I alone with the thought that rings are just silly? Maybe I'm just getting old, but do these kids really care about a ring? I can see a Super Bowl ring, a World Series ring...those are valuable pieces of jewelry in addition to being very unique, universally recognized memorabilia. The memories, the photos, the films, the banners at the high school, the inter-school legend of being on the "06 State Team", and the stories that will be told, and retold and retold are more than enough.

 

I know quite a few alumni that pulled out their previously earned state rings to wear during the playoffs. These are rings that are 20+ years old. So yeah, "kids" care about a ring.