Soon after winning the school's first team state title by claiming the Class 3A state football championship in December, the Jefferson High athletic program realized it would cost more than they anticipated to fund the team's championship rings.
Initially, the team needed $23,000 and wasn't certain if they would able to afford the rings. Fortunately for Jefferson, there were organizations in Tampa willing to help.
On Wednesday, Tampa-based personal injury law firm Winters & Yonker surprised the school with a check for $15,000, which athletic director Bob Morgan said was just enough to pay for the rings. Along with the law firm's donation, Morgan said the school also received a check from Fellowship of Christian Athletes for $4,000 in addition to money the school raised on its own.
"It was a great surprise," Morgan said.
"It put us right where we needed to be," Jefferson coach Mike Fenton said.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, Jefferson will have its ring ceremony at the Windham Hotel, 700 N. West Shore Blvd. Also on Saturday, the team will be recognized at Steinbrenner Field before the New York Yankees' spring game against Washington.
"I coach little league baseball in Lutz and a fellow coach was listening to WDAE radio that Jefferson had won state championship and were 15-0, but they didn't have any money for their championship rings," lawyer Marc Yonker said. "We said this is a neat thing to do for the kids. It was great for them to win a state championship.
"We were very happy to help them and it was money well spent."
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