Baker community raises funds for high school championship rings
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — For more than a decade, residents of Baker City have opened their hearts and wallets to honor local state champions.
The community helps raise funds to buy championship rings each time an athlete or team at Baker High brings home a state title. The most recent effort raised enough money to buy the Baker boys basketball team rings that they will cherish for a lifetime after the squad won the championship in March.
The effort is spearheaded by Rocky Brown, owner of Lew Bros. Les Schwab Tires in Baker.
“We started this in 2010, after we won the state championship in football,” says Rocky. “We thought it would be a great way for the community to recognize the accomplishments of these great kids and give them a memento of their hard work.”
Brown says each time another Baker team or athlete wins a championship, he gets in touch with community members around town, who he says are more than happy to pitch in.
“Everyone I speak with is happy to contribute, to give a little something back to these kids that they’ll appreciate forever,” says Brown.
Brown says each ring is personalized for the team and sport, with each one costing around $250.
There’s even a historical connection of Bulldog champions for Brown. His grandfather, George (Stub) Allison, was the coach of the 1938 Baker High boys basketball team that won the state championship.
“The Baker community has always supported our kids and has taken care of one another,” said Brown. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”
“This kind gesture of purchasing rings for us is another way the Baker community has shown their support for our boys basketball program. We are extremely honored, blessed and appreciative for the rings and all of us will cherish these forever,” said Jebron Jones, head coach of the Baker boys basketball team. “We notice the support with tremendous attendance at our games (home and away) as well as the enthusiasm around town. Thank you very much to everyone who played a part in the purchase of the rings.”
If anyone wants to help donate to get Baker student-athletes championship rings the next time a state title is brought home, just call Rocky at Lew Bros. at 541-523-3679.
