By Kyle Coppola
Villages Charter Alum Sam Walters Receives NCAA Final Four Ring
The Villages, FL — Sam Walters, a proud graduate of Villages Charter High School, received his NCAA Final Four ring, commemorating his amazing 2023-24 freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Walters, the first graduate of Villages Charter to reach college basketball’s most prestigious stage, was honored for his contributions to Alabama’s historic run to the Final Four.
(The presentation box for the NCAA Final Four ring that Sam Walters received.)
Walters, a 6-foot-10 forward who has always been known for his sharpshooting outside the arc, played a key role off the bench during Alabama’s deep tournament push last season. His defensive presence and timely scoring helped solidify the Crimson Tide’s first NCAA Final Four appearance. The ring that Sam received is stunning. It has the Alabama Logo decorated with Walters name. On the inside of the ring are the teams and scores of the teams Alabama beat to get to the Final Four.
(The ring is absolutely as beatuiful as you can come to expect.)
Now donning the maize and blue of the Michigan Wolverines, Walters is set for another big year and potentially another run at the NCAA Final Four. Walters transferred to Michigan ahead of the 2024-25 season, seeking to expand his role under coach Dusty May.
(The side of the ring with Walters name and NCAA Final Four logo.)
Back home in The Villages, Florida, Walters’ success continues to inspire the community. Villages Charter School basketball continues to thrive under head coach Colt McDowell and should be a powerhouse again in 2024/2025. Guys like Sam Walters and Tre Mann who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA have really brought The Villages to the next level. Ever since winning the school’s first District title in 2013 under then head coach David Krakoff, The Villages has been on an upward trojectory.
(From life in Sumter County, Florida to life on the big stage, Sam Walters is has inspired many young kids in our area.)
Sam’s journey is one that so many student athletes look up towards. To see a member of Sumter County contributing on a national level is just wonderful to see. We are proud of him, and a big congratulations to his entire family, friends, teammates and coaches who have helped him along the way.
Congratulations to Sam Walters! Way to go!
Photo Credit – Heidi Jones Walters
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
