Former Gonzaga, UVA Standout Launches Ringerz
If you were a DCSportsFan back in the late 90s and followed high school hoops, especially in the WCAC, there may have been a couple names that still ring a bell today. Long before Victor Oladipo, Markelle Fultz and Jerami Grant took their talents to the NBA, DeMatha featured Keith Bogan and Joe Forte. Forte was a first round pick by the Celtics, but it was Bogans who spent over a decade in the league and remains in the Detroit Pistons organization.
Good Counsel’s Roger Mason spent over a decade in the NBA too while Carroll’s Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje played for a few seasons as well. But the late 90s featured a Gonzaga team that took home two league titles without the big names. Pat Mitchell, Keith Urgo, Al Elliot, Alvin Brown, Rashan Johnson, Devin Touhey and Billy Glading were just a few of the players who took Eye Street by storm. 
Glading started at point guard for two of those championship teams, but he really made a name for himself on the lacrosse field. He was on the varsity lacrosse team at Gonzaga for four years, won two lacrosse championships his sophomore and junior seasons, and he was named the Washington Post Player of the Year for the 1999 season.
Glading went on to play at the University of Virginia’s lacrosse team where won the 2003 NCAA Championship while being named a Third Team All American the same year. Glading was also the ACC Tournament MVP with 5 goals in Virginia’s win over Duke, and he was awarded the team MVP award in 2003 while scoring 24 goals that season. And if that wasn’t enough, he joined the University of Virginia men’s basketball team for the 2003-2004 season.
Glading went on to play in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from 2005-2010 before officially hanging up his cleats. But the game always remained close to his heart, and in 2023 Glading launched Ringerz, which is a youth sports brand focused on positive messaging and self- expression.
The initial launch product, of the same name, is a decorative stick band for boys and girls participating in the sports of youth lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey and baseball/softball. Colorful designs of various themes and custom team bands are meant to instill confidence, build camaraderie, and remind young athletes to always have fun playing the game they love. There is a Cheetah design for the fast kid on the team, a Professor design for the intelligent player, a Wolf design for the great teammate, and many more.
The explanation of the Ringerz origin story is quite simple; if you stare at something long enough maybe an idea will come to mind. Founder Billy Glading had a stick that he used in college and the pros. It still had rings of old beaten-up tape on it where he would position his hands while playing. He says that he would pass by that stick in his garage long after his playing days were done and would always think that something fun and inspiring could be created for kids as an alternative to that old tape. From there Ringerz was born.
Ringerz bands can be collected, traded, and given out by coaches as recognition for good play. Ringerz can also be featured with pride on the sticks of players who are looking to add a little style and flare to their game. Co-Founder Trey Whitty says, “We want young players to feel good about themselves and to be recognized for the skills that they bring to the field or ice. I think that our bands offer a unique way to do just that”.
As a brand, Ringerz is excited to expand its footprint in the near future into other sports such as tennis, pickleball and golf. Ringerz is also planning to expand its product line to include apparel and other athletic accessories.
Founder Billy Glading recognizes the role that sports played in his life saying, “Athletics has given me so much. I will be forever grateful for the confidence it instilled in me, the lessons in victory and defeat, and of course the great memories made with wonderful people along the way. I think that no matter the level, everyone can and should have that same experience with the game they love.”
Visit www.stickringerz.com to view the entire collection.
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