Connecticut
Jostens Reveals the University of Connecticut’s 2024 Men’s Basketball National Championship Ring and Back-to-Back Championship Ring
THE HUSKIES ARE CELEBRATING THEIR SIXTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WITH A BOLD, TWO-TONE RING AND BACK-TO-BACK TITLES WITH A STONE-COVERED FLIP-TOP RING.
University of Connecticut’s 2024 Men’s Basketball National Championship Ring
University of Connecticut’s 2024 Men’s Basketball Back-to-Back Championship Ring
Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jostens, the nation’s leading provider of custom-crafted championship jewelry, has designed both the National Championship Ring and Back-to-Back Championship Ring for the University of Connecticut’s men’s basketball team. These unforgettable rings were presented to players, coaches and staff members during a private on-campus ceremony on Thursday, October 17.
“Jostens is honored to partner with UConn once again to commemorate their historic back-to-back national championships with two exceptional championship rings,” said Chris Poitras, SVP and GM of Jostens Professional and College Sports Division. “These rings not only celebrate their dominance on the court, but also embody the legacy of excellence, resilience and teamwork that UConn Basketball is known for. Each ring is crafted with the utmost attention to detail, representing the pride of a program that has set a new standard for college basketball.”
A custom Back-to-Back Championship Ring was created for those who were part of both the 2023 and 2024 teams. This highly exclusive piece of jewelry acknowledges two monumental achievements: the Huskies winning back-to-back titles for the first time in program history and being the first men’s college basketball team to have won back-to-back titles in nearly 20 years. The top of the ring opens and is among the first of its kind in the college championship ring market. On the inside, the team’s 2023 and 2024 mottos — “WE SEASON” and “EVERYTHING,” respectively — are highlighted. Sparkling white stones decorate every open surface of this luxe championship ring, so that it captivates from every angle.
“It’s always an honor to work with a brand as respected and elite as Jostens,” UConn head coach Dan Hurley said. “We’re fortunate enough to go through this experience in back-to-back years, and Jostens raised the level of excellence with this year’s rings. They are truly special tokens to commemorate a truly special season. We can’t wait to work with them again next year!”
The Huskies’ 2024 National Championship Ring celebrates their historic season with stunning hand-set stones and highly detailed storytelling. It reflects the team’s dominance and preserves their legacy.
The ring top features the university’s iconic husky logo, a sparkling silver-tone basketball (with rows of strategically placed stones that emulate seams) and a striking gold-tone NCAA trophy. A large sparkling stone near the top of the trophy represents the team’s latest championship win, while the six smaller stones at the base symbolize their six total championship titles throughout program history.
The left side of the ring highlights the three U.S. cities the Huskies had to run through to claim the national title (Brooklyn, N.Y., Boston, Mass. and Phoenix, Ariz.), along with team’s impressive 37-3 season record and 2024 national championship logo. Additionally, each recipient’s jersey number or title is thoughtfully displayed near the bottom.
The right side of the ring honors the team’s 2024 Big East conference sweep. Two Big East trophies sit in the center, representing the team’s regular season championship and conference tournament championship titles, and their record 21 Big East wins are celebrated near the bottom. The recipient’s name reaches across the top edge, and New York City’s iconic skyline (where the annual tournament is held) flanks the featured trophies. Both the left and right side of this ring feature a textured background that resembles a wooden basketball court.
The number “140” is imprinted on the inside of the ring, to celebrate the team’s total margin of victory during the tournament. Furthermore, the scores of their six tournament games are listed — alongside the teams they played — to preserve their historic championship run. The team’s 2024 motto — “EVERYTHING” — appears on the outside of the band, completing this showstopping commemorative.
In addition to the National Championship Ring and Back-to-Back Championship Ring, players and staff members received the Official National Championship Ring from the NCAA. All three of these intricate designs were designed and crafted by Jostens experts.
ABOUT JOSTENS
Jostens leads the student commemoration market and has been serving local communities for over 125 years. The company works with thousands of K-12 schools, colleges and universities each year, and has the honor of partnering with beloved sports teams and esteemed organizations across the country. Its iconic products — like yearbooks, letter jackets, class jewelry and championship rings — keep meaningful traditions alive and inspire millions of people to celebrate their unique stories, milestone moments and biggest accomplishments every year. Jostens has 13 first-class facilities across the globe, and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Visit jostens.com for more information.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 32,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.
Attachments
CONTACT: Peter Lai Jostens 952-830-3230 Peter.Lai@jostens.com
Connecticut
Nestled Along Connecticut’s Coast Is A Walkable Village With Mini Cottages And A Calm Beach – Islands
New England is full of atmospheric, storybook villages — particularly along the Connecticut coast, where changing seasons shape the romantic shoreline. Quaint houses, stone walls, historic churches, and harbors create picturesque scenes. Towns like cozy Stonington blend classic New England charm with eclectic boutiques, while Branford boasts a beautiful shoreline with its historic town. In a corner of Branford sits Stony Creek, a quiet coastal enclave listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This small village is dotted with charming historic homes running the gamut of architectural styles, many of them small, Queen Anne-era cottages with stick-style motifs that define the New England coastal aesthetic. At less than a mile long, threaded by a paved path, a stroll here or along the tiny village-front beach is not only scenic but easy. As New England Magazine describes, “You could probably throw a Frisbee farther than the length of Stony Creek Beach.”
Stony Creek was Branford’s first shoreline community, settled in the late 1700s around pink granite quarries that supplied many of New York and D.C.’s ornate buildings and iconic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and parts of the George Washington Bridge and Smithsonian buildings. Today, visitors can see historic exhibits and artifacts at the Stony Creek Museum, or schedule an appointment to visit the still-operational quarry. As the gateway to the 365 Thimble Islands (only 23 inhabited), spending time on the water in Stony Creek is a great option. Catch a Thimble Island cruise along the Long Island Sound to hear tales of pirates who hid in the area’s coves, or book a sunset cocktail sail. Rent kayaks or canoes from Thimble Island Kayak, which delivers right to Stony Creek, or take a paddle tour around the Thimble Islands (named for the thimbleberry, a rare cousin of the blackberry).
Stony Creek has plenty to explore
History, coastal aesthetic, and quiet charm live on in Stony Creek — the perfect Connecticut getaway. One summer-only attraction you’ll find in this village is the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, a group of re-enactors who work to preserve historic music and perform seasonally in historic costumes — a quintessential New England vacation vibe. Year-round, Stony Creek Market offers breakfast or lunch with views of the harbor, and stays open later for pizza in summer. The Thimbleberry serves ice cream you can enjoy while strolling through Madeira Park or on the beach. The historic Legacy Theatre was once a silent movie theater, then a parachute factory, and is now a live performance venue, and a fun place to catch a show. While the Branford Historical Society remains a source of information on Branford and Stony Creek; the organization also owns the historic Harrison House and grounds which includes a museum, open June through September. Stony Creek also offers ferry service to the Thimbles with regular seasonal schedules and off-season availability.
Visitors can also enjoy the area’s vibrant nature trails: The Stony Creek Quarry Preserve, a 480-acre tract around the old quarry, has plenty of pathways. Meander along the Stony Creek Loop, one of several comprising the Branford Trail, a 30-mile network winding through the region. You can also explore the Trolley Trail, a marshy walk retracing old trolley tracks with beautiful views.
Stony Creek is roughly 13 miles from New Haven and its closest airport, though Bradley International Airport in Hartford, 55 miles away, might offer more flight options. Stony Creek’s also just 90 miles from New York City, making it ideal for weekend getaways. The village sits delightfully just off the Route 146 scenic drive and is 8 miles away from Guilford, another charming seaside town with historic sites and serene beaches.
Stony Creek’s once-thriving resort town now has limited lodging
Though it’s so tranquil now it’s hard to believe, by the time of the Civil War, Branford and quiet Stony Creek had evolved into a resort destination, partly because of its granite industry but also thanks to “no mosquitoes, flies, or malaria,” per Branford’s official website. Steamships, the train, and trolley also made it accessible. By World War I, it was attracting celebrity guests like Greta Garbo and Sinclair Lewis, where Harbor View Hotel and Shoshone Inn on Money Island, one of the Thimbles — became landmarks. Yet once the automobile equalized travel in the early 20th century, local hotels couldn’t accommodate mass tourists now flocking to the area. By the Great Depression, many notable Stony Creek hotels had shuttered, burned, or transformed into different enterprises, though today in Branford proper, the historic Owenego, or the “O,” built in 1847, still operates as a hotel and tennis club. Additionally, many of the Queen Anne cottages with Stick-style motifs that housed local workers and defined 1800s coastal Connecticut remain.
There are limited lodging offers available in Stony Creek itself. Stony Creek Depot offers two suites on Airbnb, and the modern Money Island Home on Vrbo offers water views and kayaks just a short ferry ride away. There’s just one bed and breakfast in Stony Creek itself — Thimble Islands B&B. With only two sea-facing rooms, the B&B still offers a charming, exclusive experience with modern amenities, home-cooked breakfasts, and afternoon charcuterie. “The private setting is breathtaking, with stunning views of the Thimble Islands,” wrote one reviewer on Tripadvisor. “It was a wonderful trip from start to finish.” Another wrote: “The property is right on the water with walking trails nearby and serene surroundings. It’s the perfect getaway.”
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday that if President Trump acts on his desire to “annex Greenland,” that would end the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also suggested the whole Greenland issue was an unnecessary distraction.
“It would be the end of NATO,” the Democrat told NBC’s Meet the Press. “NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland.” That, he suggested, would pit the U.S. against its NATO peers.
Murphy said the larger issue is that the president is “spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom.” That takes time away from addressing healthcare and affordability issues, he said.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates danced their way to a record-setting seventh U.S. Figure Skating title on Saturday night, showcasing their trademark creativity, athleticism and precision in their final competition before the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Now, the countdown is on for the moment they have waited for the past four years.
“We like to build momentum through the season,” Bates said, “and it’s a great feeling going into a big event knowing you skated well the previous event. So we’re going to roll with that momentum into Milan.”
Chock and Bates have dominated ice dance ever since they finished fourth at the Beijing Games, arguably the most disappointing and frustrating placement for any Olympian. They have won the past three world titles, the past three gold medals at the Grand Prix Final, and they have nobody within sight of them when it comes to competing against fellow Americans.
Performing a flamenco-styled dance to a version of the Rolling Stones hit “Paint It Black” from the dystopian sci-fi Western drama “Westworld,” Chock and Bates produced a season-best free skate inside Enterprise Center and finished with 228.87 points.
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik were second with 213.65 points and Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko were third with 206.95, making those two pairs the likely choices to join Chock and Bates on the American squad for the Winter Games.
There wasn’t much drama in the dance competition.
At least for the top step.
Yet sometimes the winning programs aren’t necessarily the ones that win over the crowd. And while Oona Brown and Gage Brown only finished fifth, the sister-brother duo — former world junior champions — earned the first standing ovation of the night for their moody, creative and almost cinematic program set to selections from the film “The Godfather.”
“I think that was one of the best — if not the best — performances we’ve had,” Gage Brown said afterward.
The Browns ended a stretch in which several couples taking the ice made some kind of significant mistake, whether it was a skater stumbling to the ice, someone getting out of synch with their twizzles, or some other calamitous misfortune.
Then it was a parade of near-perfect programs, each couple trying to upstage the previous one.
Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville were the first to knock the Brown siblings from first place, then reigning bronze medalists Caroline Green and Michael Parsons took over first place with their program, set to “Escalate” by Tsar B and “Son of Nyx” by Hozier.
Carreira and Ponomarenko, the U.S. silver medalists the past two years, knew a podium spot would probably earn them a spot on the Olympic team when they took the ice. And they delivered with a sharp program in which they seemed to channel the feeling and the characters from the 2006 psychological thriller film “Perfume: The Story of a Murder.”
“We had a bit of a rocky start to this season,” said Carreira, who was born in Canada but receiver her U.S. citizenship in November, making her eligible to compete at the Olympics. “I’m happy we got our act together and delivered a good performance here.”
It wound up being good enough for bronze.
That’s because the 23-year-old Zingas, who made the difficult witch from singles to dance about four years ago, and the 24-year-old Kolesnik quickly assumed the top spot with a program set to music by Sergei Prokofiev from the ballet of “Romeo and Juliet.”
“It hasn’t been an easy journey,” Zingas said, “and I think our unique approach to this season, and our unique style on the ice, really helped us, and it’s really an emotional moment to be sitting here.”
Zingas and Kolesnik only held the top spot for about four minutes — the length of the free skate by Chock and Bates.
It almost seemed to be a forgone conclusion that they would win Saturday night. But the real pressure now begins: Chock and Bates finished eighth at the 2014 Olympics, ninth four years later, and came in fourth at the Winter Games in 2022.
Yes, they helped the Americans win team gold in Beijing, but even that was somewhat tainted. They never got a medal ceremony there because of a long investigation into Russian doping, which pushed their presentation all the way to the 2024 Summer Games.
They would love to help the U.S. win another team gold. But their target is unquestionably the ice dance title itself.
“It’s going to be a lot more of what it has been — we know what to do, we have our plan and we’re executing,” Chock said. “We don’t plan on deviating from it. We’re going to stick to it. Trust ourselves, trust our team and do what we know to do.”
My New Favorite Olympian will introduce you to Team USA’s most inspiring athletes and the causes they champion. New episodes hosted by Olympic figure skating medalist Adam Rippon and NBC’s Chase Cain will drop January 15. And don’t miss My New Favorite Paralympian beginning March 5!
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