NCAA Women’s and Men’s Basketball Champions Celebrated at the White House

On September 10, the 2023-24 NCAA basketball champions from South Carolina’s women’s team and Connecticut’s men’s team visited the White House, where they were honored by President Joe Biden for their outstanding achievements.

During the ceremony held in the East Room, President Biden expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the players, coaches, and families involved with the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team. He emphasized their remarkable 38-0 record this season, highlighting their historic journey in NCAA basketball.

Biden particularly commended Coach Dawn Staley for her pivotal role in transforming the women’s basketball program. He remarked on the team’s impressive ability to win three national championships, including their latest triumph, just a few years after a struggling era where they made only two tournament appearances in 17 years.

As he welcomed the University of Connecticut’s men’s basketball team, which had captured their second consecutive national title, Biden joked, “Welcome back. I won’t be here next year, but you may be,” referencing his potential absence from future celebrations.

The president reminisced about South Carolina’s remarkable performance, stating, “You’ve won 109 games against just three losses over the last three seasons.” He noted that they were only the 10th women’s college basketball team in history to achieve an undefeated season.

Turning to the Connecticut team, Biden acknowledged the hurdles they faced this season, like replacing five starters due to the WNBA draft and graduations. “There were doubts all around about your ability to contend this year,” he said, adding that he jokingly claimed to have predicted their championship win, even claiming to have “won a lot of money” from it.

He praised the players for their perseverance, noting that despite challenges, they maintained firm belief and executed their game plan to secure victory over Iowa in the championship match, which they won 87-75. “In a game defined by back and forth, everyone had to step up,” he said, highlighting the critical contributions from nine players and the strong bench performance.

According to Biden, the championship game attracted a huge audience, becoming the most watched basketball game in five years. “The viewership peaked at over 24 million,” he remarked humorously, “I don’t think anybody is watching men’s basketball anymore.”

Coach Staley used the podium to express the significance of the visit, explaining that the White House represents hope, unity, and opportunities for all. She touched on South Carolina’s recent decision to remove the Confederate flag from the state Capitol, calling it a move towards progress, justice, and equality.

Staley emphasized that her team reflects values of diversity and inclusiveness. During the event, she gifted President Biden with a Gamecocks jersey adorned with his presidential number, which he graciously accepted, quipping that he never played basketball in college.

Later in the ceremony, President Biden congratulated the Connecticut Huskies on their sixth NCAA championship in 25 years, acknowledging their remarkable achievement as the first team to win back-to-back titles in 17 years. He mentioned how the team overcame skepticism about their talent and potential.

“You proved everyone wrong,” Biden proclaimed, celebrating their successful campaign where they dominated the Big East and NCAA tournaments, winning matches by an average margin of 23 points.

Biden remarked on UConn’s achievement, pointing out that they have surpassed other storied programs, solidifying their status as one of basketball’s elite teams. “There is no doubt who the true blue bloods of basketball are now,” he declared.

UConn’s coach, Dan Hurley, expressed his desire for the team’s visits to the White House to become an annual tradition. Hurley spoke of the mindset that propelled the team, stating, “Let’s just win everything,” and noted their consistent success throughout the season.

Finally, the UConn team presented President Biden with a jersey of their own, concluding a memorable day celebrating their dedication and accomplishments.