By Catherine Sheffo

The University of Maryland women's basketball team celebrated with rings and a banner before its game against Wagner Sunday to honor the group's trip to the NCAA Final Four last season. 

The ceremony closed the chapter on last year's accomplishments and set the tone for another season, head coach Brenda Frese said. 

“Coming into a new season you don't want to think about the past too much,” she said. “But to share that moment with our fans was really special.”

Many conferences, including the Big Ten and the NCAA, give championship rings to the players, coaches and staff members of the Final Four teams in their respective tournaments.  The tradition has evolved into a source of pride that reflects the spirit and accomplishments of the team. 

While the NCAA sends out a potential design, many schools work with private companies to create a ring that best reflects their team, director of basketball operations Libby Ellis said.

Ellis worked closely with Frese and associate head coach Tina Langley to design a ring that emphasized Maryland – with enough flash and bling to satisfy the players.

“We want a lot of our stuff to be timeless,” Ellis said.  “The year's not on the front because the year isn't what mattered.  It's always our standard, not a one-year thing.”

The rings are jeweled with a red “M” on the top surface surrounded by silver stones.  One side of the ring has the recipients name engraved on it with the Final Four symbol; the other has the year.

 It was important for the design to fit well on both the men's and women's version of the rings, which has a slightly tapered side.  Players who planned to wear their ring usually order a women's cut while those who want to display it choose the larger men's version. 

Frese likes to wear her rings on recruiting trips or courtside at games, said Ellis, who prefers to keep hers in a display case in her office.  Nearly all players, coaches and staff members receive a ring to thank them for their work during the season.

“I want to try to include as many people as possible,” Frese said.  “Everybody's hard work is a part of it.” 

Everyone keeps the design a secret from the players until the unveiling ceremony.

“I think they were really excited,” Ellis said.  “It's all over Instagram and Twitter.”

“It was really awesome, I was really surprised,” junior center Malina Howard said. 

Howard said the rings were bigger and “blingier” than she expected, and that she wants to keep it in a box with her other rings to show her kids some day.

“Looking at the ring there'll be so many memories that come back to me,” she said.  “It's something tangible bot look back on and remember.”

Ellis, however, may have summed it up the best. 

“I think everyone wants one for every finger,” she said. 

-Terps-