Community rallies around Gilmer athletes to help get championship rings
GILMER, Texas (KETK) – Now that Gilmer ISD are 2023 state champions, there’s one last issue to tackle: championship rings.
Gilmer Buckeyes win state championship over Bellville
In December, the Buckeyes beat the defending champion Carthage Bulldogs in the Regional Finals and would go on to beat Bellville for the state championship.
People around East Texas reached out to the district to help students who might have had a hard time affording the ring, making sure each player can have a lifelong reminder of their big accomplishment.
“I think that the love and the appreciation that our kids have felt from our community, we have it every year, but you again feel it,” head coach Alan Metzel said. “This season, a lot of adversity took place in our town, and so it gives them an opportunity– I’m talking about people in our community– to have a tangible effect where they can touch kids and give them something that that is positive and hopefully plant seeds as they grow up.”
STATE CHAMPS: Gilmer community reacts to Buckeyes win
Rings will be presented to each player at an event in the near future, according to the district.
Gilmer ISD has a page on their website where you can donate amounts between $25 and the full ring price of $339. If you want to donate to a specific player, you can email lynn.gray@gilmerisd.org the athlete’s name. You can also stop by their administration office to make a donation.
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