In the kingdom of sports, championships are synonymous with hulking rings to display a team’s power. With their success in the NCAA tournament last year, Wichita State’s men’s basketball team joined the ranks of those champions.

Each team participating in the Final Four last season received rings to honor their accomplishments in the NCAA tournament.

The Shockers received a different Final Four ring at the Shocker Madness ceremony Oct. 18, though. This ring is tailored to the players, university and an unforgettable season.

Emblazoned on one side is the Shockers “Play Angry” motto from the season and the team’s record. The other side displays the player’s name and the year, 2013.

On the top is the beloved WuShock mascot surrounded by four diamonds with “Final Four” in a big, bold font.

The university made the rings to remind players, coaches and administrators of all the hard work that went into the season.

“It’s just gratifying to know that you got that far,” Dominic Okon said. “You were a game from playing in the finals.”

Each Final Four ring for the four teams has the NCAA emblem on the top surrounded by the words “Final Four 2013.” On one side is the name of the player with the NCAA logo, while the other side shows the 2013 Final Four logo with the team name above it.

WSU, Syracuse and Michigan were sent home with silver rings. Louisville received the same, only theirs are gold, because they won the championship.

Director of basketball operations Okon said the rings mean a lot to the players that get them.

“It means that you are part of an exclusive club,” Okon said. “Not everybody gets a chance to get that. It’s just once in a lifetime for most people.”

He said receiving more than one ring for many players would be like icing on the cake.