April 6, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF football head coach George O'Leary and coordinator of equipment Robert Jones presented the letterwinners from the 2005 UCF football team with participant rings on Thursday. The dazzling rings featured a gold UCF logo in the center of the ring, surrounded by shiny cubic zirconia gemstones.
One side of the ring features a Golden Knight logo and the words C-USA East Division Champions, while the other side of the ring has the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl logo and the players' name.
The ring was designed by Jones.
"I had to notify the ring company and tell them what we wanted," stated Jones. "I wanted the crushed cubic zirconia for a diamond-look. I wanted something that was unique and that would stand out and glitter."
The players had rave reviews as soon as the rings were presented.
"It is a great looking ring and makes everyone feel good that we deserve it," stated senior defensive end Chris Welsh. "We will wear it with pride and it feels tremendous to be the first team at UCF to have a bowl ring. This ring is something we will remember and cherish forever and something you can pass down to your children one day."
The players were also given a team photo from the 2005 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Thursday.
"I didn't think the ring would be this big," said senior center Cedric Gagne-Marcoux. "I am definitely going to wear this with pride."
The Golden Knights continue spring drills Friday morning from 9:20-11:20 a.m.