To honor the school’s first NCAA championship in 20 years, the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team knew they needed some special hardware.
What they ended up choosing (working with a former player’s father, who also happens to be a Josten’s rep) was something that perfectly represented their program: understated yet powerful.
“We didn’t want the big Super Bowl type ones that you can’t wear,” coach Alan Knipe said.
On one side of the ring is a logo of the Pyramid, as well as the team’s record, an historic 28-1, along with “LBNation,” the team’s name for its rapidly expanding fanbase.
“We won it for them and we wanted to represent that,” Knipe said.
On the other side is the ring’s best design element: an engraving of all three trophies the team won this year with images of the inaugural Big West regular season trophy, the inaugural Big West Tournament trophy, and the NCAA trophy. On the top of the ring is a simple “LB” logo set into a diamond face, and on the inside of the ring circle itself is a small easter egg just for the players and staff: the motto “LB Grit,” which was the team’s rallying cry throughout the season.
