EMCC's 2011 NJCAA National Championship football team honored in ring presentation ceremony

MAYHEW – East Mississippi Community College's history-making 2011 football season culminated in grand style with Saturday night's national championship ring presentation banquet held in the Lyceum auditorium at EMCC's Golden Triangle campus.

Players and coaches from last year's school-first national championship team were on hand for the 90-minute ceremony in which they were presented separate rings commemorating the Lions' 2011 NJCAA National Championship as well as their second MACJC State Championship in three years.  Attending Lion players, including many of whom have already begun their senior college careers, also received gift bags which included their actual game jerseys from the El Toro Bowl/NJCAA National Championship Game and personalized poster-sized artwork of the team's championship rings.

Along with the presentation of championship rings to EMCC players, coaches, administrators and support staff personnel, individual awards and certificates were handed out by members of the Lions' coaching staff honoring EMCC players for their All-American, NJCAA All-Region 23 and MACJC All-State/North Division recognition a year ago.

Banquet attendees were also treated to a season highlight video presentation by EMCC media specialist Derek Cody as well as speeches from EMCC President Dr. Rick Young, Vice President/Director of Athletics Mickey Stokes and 2011 National Junior College Football Coach of the Year Buddy Stephens.  Dr. Young also used the podium to acknowledge the EMCC football team's visit to Jackson earlier in the week to accept Senate Concurrent Resolution 525 from state legislators for their 2011 season accomplishments.  The Lions also had the privilege of visiting with Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant in his office during their trip to Mississippi's capital city.