Basketball team anxious to earn more rings

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Brett Hansen, a UA sports information specialist, models his newly acquired NCAA Championship ring. The championship rings were presented to the basketball team during halftime of Saturday's football game.

"Let's go get a third," he said, referring to his new ring and the ring the team was given by the NCAA shortly after their 84-79 win over Kentucky. "I look forward to having my hand filled with rings."

He's not the only player ready for more finger hardware.

"We started talking about getting another one on the day after the championship in April," UA guard Josh Pastner said.

First things first, though. Practice starts with Midnight Madness on Oct. 17.

The ring, designed by the players and presented by the university, is plated with gold. Each ring has the recipient's name and the Arizona block "A" on one side and the NCAA emblem on the other.

Centered on the dark blue face is a single large diamond surrounded by eight smaller ones. Around the diamond in block letters is the title: "National Champions 1997"

"It's beautiful," Pastner said. "Every night before I go to sleep I open the case to make sure I'm not dreaming."

In accordance with NCAA rules, each costs less than $300.

The coaching staff, support staff, team managers, trainer and sports information specialist Brett Hansen also received rings in the ceremony.

Most players said they had plans for the rings. Pastner said jokingly that he may use it to pick up women.

"Most of the other guys don't need it (for that)," Pastner said. "I need all the help I can get."

One more ceremony is still on tap to celebrate Arizona's 1997 title run. At the Pacific 10 Conference opener on Jan. 3 against UCLA, the official championship banner will be unfurled in McKale Center.