University of North Carolina Athletics
NCAA Champions Visit The White House
June 25, 2008 | Field Hockey
June 25, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY: The Tar Heels visit the White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 2007 North Carolina field hockey team celebrated its NCAA title one more time with a visit to the White House Tuesday as part of Champions Day. Carolina joined 19 other 2007-08 winners for a tour of the White House, a photo with President George Bush and recognition on the South Lawn.
With players and coaches scattered for the summer, the group came from different starting points but met around noon at Arlington National Cemetery to board a bus together and head for the White House.
After a driving tour of the Mall and monuments, the group arrived at the White House and went through security. The Tar Heels then toured the East Wing, along with the other teams present. Following that, the players, coaches and staff posed for a photo with the President. (Only the official White House photographer was allowed to snap the group, but a photo can be viewed here.)
After the group photos, each team was introduced and paraded out to the South Lawn to applause from the crowd and the strains of the school fight song, as played by a military band. With all of the teams assembled, President Bush address the group for five minutes, noting the following about the Tar Heels:
"On the road to the championship some teams recorded particularly memorable achievements. The University of North Carolina Women's Field Hockey team compiled a perfect 24-0 record -- (applause) -- making them just the fifth team in the sport history to - sport's history to finish undefeated."
To read the entire text of his speech, click here.
The trip made for a memorable day, but something the Tar Heels hope isn't a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They'll open the 2008 season on Aug. 30 with the goal of earning a return ticket to the annual White House event.
