2008 Woodie Awards
Ring will display accomplishments
Coach Gary Barlow wants to give players something to remember their season rather than "bling-bling"
Filippo Goodman
Issue date: 12/10/04 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Often, success comes with a price tag, and after a history-making season for the Mustang football team, the bill has arrived in the form of commemorative rings.
The 2004 season was one of unprecedented success for the Mustangs, as they placed first in the Valley conference and capped the year off with a Tri Countries Holiday Bowl win against Butte College. In order to give the team its just due, the staff has decided to commemorate the season with rings for the entire team, which has head coach Gary Barlow moonlighting as a type of
Jacob-the-Jeweler.
For big time programs, major bowl games are so financially lucrative that Bowl rings are generally provided at no cost to the team. At the junior college level the economic onus falls on the team.
"We are actively working with the design team to design the rings, while at the same time we are working to raise the funds to provide the rings for all the players. That's a huge investment when you're talking about 80 players", said Coach Gary Barlow.
Financing rings for 80 players may prove daunting, but in light of a season defined by towering achievement, the cost pales in comparison to the accomplishments.
" This is the first time in the history of the Delta college football program that a team has won both its conference and followed that by becoming bowl game champs in the same year. Hopefully this season at Delta will be something that the players can talk to their kids and grandchildren about," said Barlow.
Those grandchildren wont have to wrack their brains wondering about the ring's significance, considering that the accomplishment-laden season will be displayed right before their eyes. Eschewing gaudy gold and diamonds, the rings will be more about documentation, rather than keeping pace with a bling-bling influenced culture.
"The top of the ring will talk about the Holiday Bowl championship along with the score of the game. One shank will talk about the Valley Conference championship and our 9-2 record. The other shank will be personalized with the players name and number," said Barlow.
For the players of Delta college, the arduous journey that began under the punishing summer sun will be condensed into a hand crafted reminder of a triumphant
2004 season.
The 2004 season was one of unprecedented success for the Mustangs, as they placed first in the Valley conference and capped the year off with a Tri Countries Holiday Bowl win against Butte College. In order to give the team its just due, the staff has decided to commemorate the season with rings for the entire team, which has head coach Gary Barlow moonlighting as a type of
Jacob-the-Jeweler.
For big time programs, major bowl games are so financially lucrative that Bowl rings are generally provided at no cost to the team. At the junior college level the economic onus falls on the team.
"We are actively working with the design team to design the rings, while at the same time we are working to raise the funds to provide the rings for all the players. That's a huge investment when you're talking about 80 players", said Coach Gary Barlow.
Financing rings for 80 players may prove daunting, but in light of a season defined by towering achievement, the cost pales in comparison to the accomplishments.
" This is the first time in the history of the Delta college football program that a team has won both its conference and followed that by becoming bowl game champs in the same year. Hopefully this season at Delta will be something that the players can talk to their kids and grandchildren about," said Barlow.
Those grandchildren wont have to wrack their brains wondering about the ring's significance, considering that the accomplishment-laden season will be displayed right before their eyes. Eschewing gaudy gold and diamonds, the rings will be more about documentation, rather than keeping pace with a bling-bling influenced culture.
"The top of the ring will talk about the Holiday Bowl championship along with the score of the game. One shank will talk about the Valley Conference championship and our 9-2 record. The other shank will be personalized with the players name and number," said Barlow.
For the players of Delta college, the arduous journey that began under the punishing summer sun will be condensed into a hand crafted reminder of a triumphant
2004 season.