By Mark Pszonak
After a successful sports season, it has become the norm for players and coaches to receive a ring to celebrate their accomplishments. However, recently, for one winning football program, it was announced that the players would have to pay for their own rings.
While only established in 1982, Valdosta State is one of the most successful Division II programs in the country. They have won the National Championship four times (2004, 2007, 2012, 2018) and have won 11 Gulf South Conference titles. The 2024 season saw the Blazers make it to another National Championship game which ended in a loss to Ferris State.
Head coach Tremaine Jackson, who went 29-8 in three seasons with the Blazers, has made the move to FCS Prairie View A&M since the conclusion of the season, but still took the time to address the ring issue at Valdosta State:
The school I was at does NOT pay for rings, however there is an opportunity for the TEAM to celebrate our accomplishments!!
If you played on our 2024 Outright Gulf South Champion, Region 2 Champion and National Runner-Up team, the link for purchase is below.
— Tremaine Jackson (@coachjack212) January 23, 2025
This is a nice move by Coach Jackson, who easily could’ve completely focused on his new job and forgotten about his former Valdosta State players. But instead he is trying to help a difficult situation.
And if you needed more proof in the difference between major college football and the lower levels, this is another prime example .
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