From 1872, when the tradition began of giving a ring to the players of a championship college football team. This custom continues to this day, even though they are not as luxurious as those given to championship teams in the collegiate leagues.
These jewels distinguish college athletes, as well as their coaching staffs and other assistants for winning the CFP National Championship.
However, it was not until 2014 that the NCAA regulated the design and cost of these rings, seeking to standardize their production and make it simpler and more affordable for championship teams
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The design of the NCAA championship rings
These rings are currently manufactured by Jostens and the design is done in conjunction with the championship school. The face of the ring says “National” at the top and “Champions” at the bottom. In the center is the College Football Playoff (CFP) logo in gold and around it are these three words, which refer to the new format for determining the collegiate champion
The universities can customize the sides of the ring, with themes such as the result of the championship game or the surname of the championship-winning coach
How much does an NCAA championship ring cost?
On average, a Super Bowl ring costs around $35,000 per piece, although in the NFL there is no limit on the cost per piece, to allow jewelers to use expensive metals and gemstones, including diamonds
However, in college football, these pieces of jewelry have a symbolic cost, as their production cannot exceed $415 per ring, as this amount is the maximum estimate that the NCAA considers a university can spend on its student-athletes.
That’s why championship rings are made from cheaper materials such as synthetic stones and alloys that look like gold.
History of college football championship rings
Officially, the first championship ring awarded to a collegiate champion dates back to 1872, when Princeton University was crowned college football champion after a 1-0 season, as at that time only a limited number of teams played in the New Jersey area and its surroundings, where the sport was historically created
The design was standardised in 2014 when the first College Football National Championship game was played, which Ohio State would win. For 152 years, these rings have recognised the best college football team in the country, a distinction for young athletes.