Indiana Fever raise banner, get championship rings
By JIM JOHNSON
ISL Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever received their championship rings and raised the banner before their home opener against the Atlanta Dream on Friday night.
The Fever celebrated their first WNBA title, something forward Tamika Catchings waited seemingly an eternity for.
“It’s about time,” Catchings said. “Finally, right?”
Atlanta quickly reminded the Fever that their championship was indeed from last year as Indiana dropped its home opener 86-77. Catchings had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Katie Douglas scored 17 points for the Fever, but Indiana was ineffective on defense.
“It’s nice to have the ring, but the ring’s over,” Fever coach Lin Dunn said. “We scored 77 points, but it was probably the worst defensive game I can remember in ages.”
The fans were probably willing to forgive the early stumble given the thrills the Fever provided both last season and in the pregame ceremony.
The ring design was a combination of input from the Fever and Herff Jones master jewelry designers. One side of the ring reads: -Together,” the team motto, with the WNBA championship trophy and the team’s overall record along with the WNBA Finals series record inscribed. On the other side is the name of the recipient, their position, and the Indiana Fever logo.
The top of the ring prominently displays the Fever -F” with a hand-cut stone and surrounded by 27 diamonds. Surrounding the top are the words -2012 WNBA Champions” with eight blue sapphires.
These new championship rings join the long list of prestigious awards manufactured by Herff Jones to celebrate champions of the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, INDYCAR, NASCAR and universities and high schools across the country.
