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Princeton University Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Team Honored At The White House
September 24, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
Sept. 24, 2002
Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush honored Princeton's 2002 national champion women's lacrosse team at the White House on Tuesday. The Tigers joined NCAA title teams from last spring in a championship celebration in the President's East Room.
The Tigers arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and were promptly greeted by President Bush in the East Dining Room. After an exchange of cunning banter between the President and players, the NCAA champions of the spring were introduced to members of the media as they entered the East Room.
"You could feel the excitement," says Princeton coach Chris Sailer. "For a lot of us it was the first-ever visit of the White House and we were able to interact with the President. He was very personable too."
Following the introduction of the national champion men's lacrosse team from Syracuse, President Bush turned to the players and remarked, "I know the Syracuse men beat Princeton; it's lucky you didn't play the women this year," further commenting on how the Tigers became the best women's lacrosse team in the history of the school. To the amusement of all those in attendance, the women of Old Nassau presented President Bush with a Princeton Lacrosse t-shirt that read the score of last season's Princeton-Yale game in which the Tigers won 11-5. Bush, a Yale alum, took the gesture in good faith and displayed it to the White House media.
"This was a real highlight for members of the championship teams," says Princeton Athletic Director Gary D. Walters. "The President was very gracious in his comments and proved that he could roll with a joke when presented with the shirt."
All but two members of the 2002 championship squad were in attendance. Graduates Charlotte Kenworthy and Brooke Owens were unable to attend with Kenworthy in Australia and Owens in Denmark.
"It was very fun reliving the NCAA championship," says senior Sarah Small. "It was great seeing some of last year's seniors and to be able to experience this with them."
Small, along with Rachael Becker and Whitney Miller, will captain the 2003 Tigers as they look to repeat as champions and get back to the White House.
"With all the things that go along with winning a national championship, this is truly something special," says Becker. "It was all we could have asked for and more."
Other teams that were in attendance included the men's lacrosse team from Syracuse, the men's tennis team from Southern California, the women's tennis team from Stanford, the men's golf team from Minnesota, the women's golf team from Duke, the men's track team from LSU, the women's track team from South Carolina, the baseball champions from Texas and softball champions from California.
"A room full of champions and the President of the United States," says Miller. "What more could you ask for."
The President addressed the NCAA spring champions with a challenge to serve. He congratulated the players for all they had accomplished on the field and urged them to better their communities off of it.
"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," says Bush. " 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."
The President concluded with congratulatory comments and handshakes, reminding all that there is much to be grateful for living in the greatest country on the face of the earth.
"It's a great privilege to go to the White House and meet the President of the United States," said last year's NCAA tournament MVP and 2002 co-captain Lauren Simone. "Just when I thought all the excitement from winning a national championship would die down, we meet the President and have the experience of a lifetime. - It was a great day."
For a transcript of President George W. Bush's speech to the 2002 spring champions, click here