Hawks score their championship rings

Posted May 7, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated May 7, 2012 at 09:42 PM

Saturday afternoon at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel, the Armwood Hawks finally got their rings signifying their 2011 Class 6A state football title.

It’s been a long, arduous journey. Not just all the hard work they endured for the past year, but the controversy surrounding a state investigation of their program, one that has still not concluded.

But all that was put aside Saturday as the players, their parents and Armwood coaching staff enjoyed the plush surroundings of the Crowne Plaza, a buffet awards ceremony and ring presentation. The Hawks also got to watch a highlights video of their 15-0 season that culminated with a victory over Miami Central in the state championship game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

MVP awards went to senior linebacker Eric Striker on defense and junior wide receiver/athlete Alvin Bailey on offense. Striker is headed to the University of Oklahoma and presented defensive coordinator Matt Thompson a book of photos with something written by each player for Thompson.

The Hawks were then presented their championship rings when the parent or parents of each member of the squad was called up and presented those precious few ounces of metal they will carry with them the rest of their lives. It was the parents who not only paid for the majority of the rings’ costs, but supported their kids to achieve the state title.