Even after Ellwood Christian Academy’s 37-25 win over Crenshaw Christian Academy to claim the AISA Class 1A state championship in mid-February, there is still work to do.

Eagle head coach Carl Rawls attended Monday’s Dallas County Commission meeting to let the public know he is launching a campaign to help his players pay for championship rings in an effort to help them remember their accomplishment forever.

“We have 13 boys and championship rings are not a part of the budget,” he said. “The parents have agreed to pay half, but we need a little help from the community to raise the rest. The boys deserve that.”

The rings, Rawls said, will cost around $3,800. The parents and school will be able to put up $1,900.

Rawls said the school would like to order the rings by April 1 because it will take eight to 10 weeks for them to arrive. This way, he said, the school can have a presentation ceremony before students are dismissed for summer vacation.

Probate Judge Kim Ballard said he hopes the community jumps on board to honor the state championship squad.

“I think it would be a travesty for these kids to have worked so hard and not have something to show for it,” he said.

Commissioner Curtis Williams also expressed his appreciation for Rawls and the Ellwood team.

“We appreciate what you all have done and the way you conducted yourselves,” he said.

While the commission can’t allocate any funds for the rings, the board did vote to make March 26 Ellwood Christian Day in honor of the school’s state title.

For more information on how to make donations call 877-1581