The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
President Obama welcomes UConn's men's and women's basketball teams to the White House, in honor of their 2014 NCAA Championships.
This afternoon, President Obama welcomed the NCAA Champion UConn Huskies to the White House. UConn's men's and women's basketball teams both won the 2014 NCAA Championships — so in an effort to "eliminate waste and cut out duplicative programs to make things more efficient," the President concurrently congratulated both of them. But "this may be carrying things a little too far," he joked.
In the President's remarks, he highlighted the well-known legacy of UConn basketball. This is the ninth national title for the women, while it's the men's fourth title in the last 16 years. And only once before, in 2004, has one school won both the men's and women's Division I titles. That team was — you guessed it — UConn.
"What's up with you guys?" Why aren't you sharing," the President asked. "It is just a remarkable thing what these programs have accomplished."
While the President noted that he picked UConn's women's team to win in his bracket, he confessed that he didn't pick the men — but "neither did anybody else, unless you went to UConn," he said.
He also praised both UConn teams for what they have done off the court as well. "Both teams have also done tremendous work in the community. They’ve raised awareness for cancer and autism. They’ve volunteered at senior centers, spent time with underprivileged youth."
Finally, President Obama took a moment to single out the women's team, thanking them for being such great examples to young women, including his own daughters, Sasha and Malia. "I could not be more proud of the example that they present for my daughters. They’re showing that just like the boys, girls can be tough, athletic, beautiful, successful, competitive and make fun of me, which is what my daughters do all the time."
Before snapping a photo, President Obama once again congratulated both teams and asked one final question: "Where's my jersey?"
Read the President's full remarks here.
President Barack Obama welcomes the NCAA Champion University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies men's and women's basketball teams and their coaches Kevin Ollie and Geno Auriemma, to honor the teams and their 2014 NCAA Championships in the East Room of the White House, June 9, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
