Remarks honoring the NCAA spring championship teams

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Sept 30, 2002

September 24, 2002

The President. Thank you all. Welcome. Please be seated. Thank you. This is champions day here at the White House, and I want to welcome all the champs who are here. I particularly love being around those who've set high goals, worked hard to achieve them, and win.

I want to thank the chancellors, presidents, athletic directors, supporters, family members for being here as well. I'm honored to welcome people of high accomplishment to the White House. You're here during extraordinary times. This is a time of challenge for our country. It's really a time to determine the fiber of our Nation, the character of our people. We're being tested. But because we're Americans, because we believe things--hold values deeply in our heart, we will succeed. There's no question in my mind.

And one way we're going to succeed is for all of us, particularly the champs here, to remember there is a responsibility that comes with being a champion. I happen to believe you have a responsibility to set an example for others, that as you succeed on the field of play, you've got to remember there are youngsters looking at you, trying to determine how they should live their life. So as you set high standards for yourself, I hope you remember people are watching and that you can affect people's lives in an incredibly positive way.

There's another way you can serve your community as well, by loving a neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself; that a champion on the field can be a champion off the field by mentoring a child or caring for somebody in need or helping to eliminate pockets of despair and hopelessness in the country. You've got an opportunity as champions to be champions off the field in the community in which you live. And there's no question in my mind that when you put your mind to it, you can. You can help shape the character of the country. You can overcome--help overcome evil by doing some good in the communities in which you live.

So I want to welcome you all here. I want to welcome two Members of the United States Congress, Jim Walsh and Joe Wilson-Jim from New York, and Joe from South Carolina.

I appreciate all the team captains who are up here. And it's now my honor to kind of go through the roster of the champs, those who have earned the title of NCAA champion and, therefore, get to come to this fabulous place--[laughter]--my temporary home.

First, out of the State of California, the softball champs, NCAA softball champs from the University of California, coached by Diane Ninemire. These girls beat a tough field. They got a one-hitter from Jocelyn Forrest to win the championship. It's my honor to welcome the Golden Bears of California here to the White House.

[At this point, third baseman Candace Harper presented the President with a team jersey.]

The President. Next, men's lacrosse. This year was dominated by Syracuse. I say "dominated"--they won the last four games by one goal, but they were 15 and 2. [Laughter] They were 15 and 2. They've won their eighth national championship. They are coached by John Desko. A fine group of people from Syracuse. Congratulations, and welcome to the White House.

[Team captain Josh Coffman presented the President with a signed team poster.]

The President. And then the best women's lacrosse team in the history of Princeton University is with us. At least, that's how they were rated by those who know something about women's lacrosse. Their coach is Chris Salier-Gary Walters, the athletic director. These ladies scored the most points and the most goals in Princeton history. I know the Syracuse men beat Princeton. It's lucky you didn't play the women this year. [Laughter] Anyway, it's my honor to welcome the Princeton Tigers, NCAA champs here.

[Team co-captain Lauren Simone presented the President with a T-shirt featuring the final score of the team's win against Yale during the season.]

The President. Tennis team. [Laughter] The University of Southern California Trojans have been coached by a man named Dick Leach for 23 years. And under his leadership, they've won four NCAA champions; they've won 16 in their school's history.

It is my honor to welcome Coach Leach, the University of Southern California Trojan champions, along with new coach Peter Smith and Athletic Director Mike Garrett. Welcome to the White House.

[Team captain Andrew Park presented the President with an inscribed tennis racket.]

The President. Stanford University. They win a lot of things, and this year the women's tennis team is here at the White House because they won the NCAA champions. They're coached by Lele Forood. They have been here a lot. They were here 2 years in a row. This is their second year in a row. They have won the national championship 12 times in 22 years. It is my honor to welcome a group of ladies from a school that has had an unbelievable tradition of winning NCAA championships, and that is the Stanford women's tennis team. Welcome.

[Team members presented the President with a T-shirt.]

The President. Men's golf. The University of Minnesota won its first NCAA men's golf championship this year. Incredibly enough, it was the only team in the tournament to finish below par. That's a hard course.