In the world of collegiate athletics, few moments are as exhilarating as the presentation of championship rings. For the Washburn University women’s soccer team, this moment was particularly special as they received their rings for finishing second in the nation in Division II last year.
The rings symbolize not just a remarkable achievement but also the hard work, dedication, and unity that the team exhibited throughout the season. Coach Davy Phillips, who has been the head coach of the program for seven years, reflected on the significance of the rings.
“What the rings mean, for me, is people recognizing and buying in and working really hard just to be the best player in their role possible,” Phillips said.
The design of the championship rings was a blend between Washburn pride and the player’s own creativity. The conference has a partnership with Jostens, an esteemed ring company, to celebrate championship success and provide a partnership rate. After winning the conference and regional championship, then making the national championship game, Jostens reached out to give the Ichabod athletes a tangible item to celebrate their success. After completing fundraising efforts, Coach Phillips included a group of players to make their design ideas a reality.
The rings serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the challenges overcome. Cloe Quintana, senior midfielder, expressed her feelings about the rings.
“The rings meant so much to us because we had such a successful season, and we put a lot of work and time and effort and energy into throughout the duration of the season. So getting to see or have that little memory or something to hold on to, to represent the successful season, I guess just meant so much to us,” Quintana said.
The impact of the championship rings extends beyond the physical representation of success. They serve as a motivational tool for the current season, instilling a sense of pride and purpose within the team. Riley Wells, senior forward, noted the feeling coming into the 2024 season.
“I think we came in with a really positive mindset. But we also had to think, this is a new season. We have new players, and it’s just a whole ‘nother story. So it was really a positive thing to come into but something that we are going to leave behind us and carry on with,” Wells said.
This drive for improvement is a common theme among athletes, where past successes fuel future ambitions. The psychological aspect of wearing a championship ring can be likened to a badge of honor, instilling confidence and a sense of belonging among team members.
As the team prepares for the season, the championship rings will serve as a reminder of past success. Coach Philips wishes to emphasize that this is a new year full of new challenges and players.
“We call it the calluses of success. Like your hands are prepared for more hard work because of the calluses that you earned when you worked hard the first time. And then you know how hard you have to work in order to achieve that success again. So all of those things came from doing it right, the tangible knowledge you get from going through an experience and they know they’re capable of doing it again,” Philips said.
Edited by Eden Conrad and Stuti Khadka
