(Left to right): Coach Tim Vaughn, Coach Stephen Calvert, Dominic Pautler, Marco Tona, Caleb Guthery, Casey Guthery, Andrew Sweeney, Jalen Lee, Josh Chiodo, Coach William Calvert and Father Marcus Voss
CULLMAN – Saint Bernard athletes received special recognition on Feb. 1 for their state 1A track and field championship, which was won last spring. Athletes were presented athletic rings, designed and donated by Rick Antona of Uptown Diamonds in Houston, Texas.
Antona said to the team via Facebook, “Congratulations Saint Bernard Prep School! You own the win, now own the ring! It was a pleasure to design and manufacture your championship rings!”
In addition to coaches William Calvert, Tim Vaughn and Stephen Calvert, rings were given to the following team members: Dominic Pautler, Marco Tona, Caleb Guthery, Casey Guthery, Andrew Sweeney, Jalen Lee and Josh Chiodo. Since several other team members graduated last May, Athletic Director William Calvert said he would contact them and present their rings to them when they return to visit the campus.
During the awarding of the rings, Father Marcus explained to the students how he met Rick Antona through a mutual benefactor and alumnus of Saint Bernard, Robert Blevins, of Houston, Texas. It was after that meeting that Antona designed and presented the members of the Saint Bernard Girls’ cross country team their first state championship rings in 2016.
The Antona Company, Uptown Diamonds, produces a wide variety of rings with diamonds and colored stones for engagements and weddings as well as rings for the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup and college sports. Other clients include Joey Kramer of Aerosmith who commissioned Uptown Diamonds to have his drum sticks covered with diamonds set in 18k gold.
Father Marcus Voss said, “I have really enjoyed getting to know Rick Antona. For him to include our school in the vast array of his clients has been a unique and wonderful experience. He has brought a whole new dimension to the Saint Bernard sports program and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done.”
