Tag: ceremony

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan immortalized in Kohl Center rafters

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan immortalized in Kohl Center rafters

This story was updated to change a photo.

For the first time, a Wisconsin coach has been immortalized in the Kohl Center rafters.

That is program legend Bo Ryan, who was honored with a ceremony at halftime of the Badgers’ matchup against the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Friday.

Ryan and the rest of Wisconsin’s 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams were honored as the 2024-25 team battled the Wildcats — a team that lost to Wisconsin during each of those Final Four runs.  The occasion was the 10-year anniversary of the first run, as well as Ryan being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Ryan’s name now hangs in the rafters alongside program legends Frank Kaminsky, Michael Finley and Ab Nicholas.

The banner only includes his name and his coaching tenure — both assistant and head coach. An expansion to include career honors, records and awards would stretch far past the allotted length.

Nov 15, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Former Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan (sport coat front) is shown with his family while being honored at halftime of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.Unranked Wisconsin upset Arizona 103-88. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Ryan’s Hall of Fame career includes a 394-157 overall record (364-130 at Wisconsin), three Big Ten tournament titles, four Big Ten regular season titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 seasons, four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and, as highlighted, those two Final Four runs in 2014 and 2015.

He was the driving force behind the most successful run in Wisconsin basketball history.

Wisconsin now returns for the second half looking to repeat Ryan’s success against the Wildcats. The Badgers built a 55-44 halftime lead in what was a high-flying opening period.

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Johnny Manziel throws his support behind Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy fight

Johnny Manziel threw his support behind Reggie Bush, saying he won’t attend the Heisman Trophy award ceremony until Bush has his trophy back:

This is big of Johnny Manziel: the former Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback announced Saturday that he will decline to participate in the award’s annual ceremony until Reggie Bush has had his own Heisman Trophy returned to him.

Bush, the former New Orleans Saints running back, won the trophy for his efforts at USC back in 2005. But it was taken away from him after an NCAA investigation found that his family had received recruiting benefits which were not allowed at the time — and which are now popular across the college sports landscape with the legality of NIL programs. Bush has since taken legal action to fight for the recognition that he earned, and to get his trophy back.

Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy himself in 2012, was one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football in his prime; love him or hate him, fans were watching the Aggies every week. While he didn’t find great success at the pro level, Manziel has remained a fixture in the college football world and at the Heisman Trophy ceremony each year. He’s voted for the award every year and taken the stage along with other past winners.

But he says that’s not something he can continue to do in good conscience while Bush is left out in the cold. Bush’s 2005 win is the only instance the award has been vacated in its 89-year history. If more of Manziel’s peers took a stand alongside him in support of Bush, it’s tough to believe the powers that be could hold up under such high-profile pressure.

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Chiefs players discuss upcoming Super Bowl LVII ring ceremony

#Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon, LG Joe Thuney and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling spoke about the upcoming Super Bowl LVII ring ceremony on Thursday night.

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The Kansas City Chiefs will host their Super Bowl LVII ring ceremony on Thursday, June 15, just before players leave for a long break between mandatory minicamp and training camp.

Speaking to reporters during Wednesday’s media availability, several Chiefs veterans expressed excitement for the upcoming event.

“We get our rings tomorrow,” Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon said. “I’m excited about that. It’s going to be good.”

The team’s ring ceremony for Super Bowl LIV took place closer to the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ll celebrate their Super Bowl LVII victory a little earlier this offseason, giving several former team members a chance to partake in the ceremony.

“I can’t wait to celebrate with the guys,” Chiefs LG Joe Thuney said. “Like I said, such a special group this past season. It’ll be good to see some of the guys. I appreciate the Chiefs organization for putting it together, and (I’m) excited to partake in it.”

Many Chiefs players haven’t yet seen the design for the ring, though they were fitted for their rings shortly after Super Bowl LVII.

“I haven’t seen it yet, man,” Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling said. “So, I guess we’ll find out (tomorrow night).”

Emotions are sure to be high for several players who became champions for the first time. Jerick McKinnon says there won’t be any tears shed during the ceremony.

“Well, I cried at the Super Bowl,” McKinnon said. “I ain’t going to cry tomorrow. I’ll probably pour (myself) a nice little shot of tequila with the guys, and have a little shot with the guys. It’ll be smooth.”

As one of the heroes of Super Bowl LVII, McKinnon reiterated that trading a touchdown for a ring was the right move to make.

“Great trade, great trade,” McKinnon said. “I wouldn’t change it for nothing.”

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WATCH: Chiefs debut new Kingdom Short titled ‘The Crown Jewel’

A behind-the-scenes look at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship ring ceremony debuts tonight.

The Kansas City Chiefs are debuting a new Kingdom Short this evening and it’s all about the bling members of the team recently received. Starting a 6:00 p.m. CT you can watch “Kingdom Short: The Crown Jewel” premiere live. It covers the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship ring ceremony and more exclusive features.

Here’s the full description of the latest behind-the-scenes short from the Chiefs’ in-house media production team:

“On this Kingdom Short Presented by GEHA (https://www.geha.com), we take a closer look at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV Championship Rings. First, Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt walks through the variety of details that make up the final ring design. Then, Dustin Colquitt reminisces on his time in Kansas City discussing his career, Super Bowl LIV, and what getting that ring will mean after waiting nearly fifteen seasons. Finally, we take you behind-the-scenes of a memorable ring ceremony held at Arrowhead Stadium showcasing the defending world champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.”

You can watch “Kingdom Short: The Crown Jewel” at the top of the page or over on the Chiefs’ YouTube page.

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Steve Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal, Drew Brees to attend

New Orleans Saints living legend Steve Gleason will receive the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

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There aren’t many players in New Orleans Saints history more well-known and better-respected than Steve Gleason. The special teams ace earned an enduring spot in fans’ memories with his blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons, in the first game played in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and the surrounding the Gulf Coast. It’s not for nothing that he’s the only Saints player immortalized with a bronze statue standing outside the team’s home stadium.

But Gleason has continued to be a big part of New Orleans lore after his playing days were over. He’s remained a common sight on the Saints sideline, is active in community fund-raisers and benefits, and maintains an active social media presence — all while fighting ALS, the neurodegenerative disease that has confined him to a wheelchair, only able to communicate through a cutting-edge text-to-speech computer program.

Despite those challenges and the fatal diagnosis Gleason received back in 2011, he’s continued to advocate for research into ALS and promote awareness of it, doing everything possible to help others afflicted with the disease. Now, he’ll be recognized at a ceremony on Capitol Hill after nearly a decade of those efforts, as the latest recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He offered input on the design of his unique medal, which can be seen here.

And he won’t be alone. Gleason’s former teammate and longtime friend Drew Brees will be in attendance (on his 41st birthday) to support him in the iconic Statuary Hall, surrounded by memorials to other figures in American history. It’s well-deserved recognition for Gleason, his family, and their friends, and we’re looking forward to viewing this latest chapter in his story.

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