Swimcloud

Brief? Body Suit? Bush Ops For Jammer

President George Bush welcomed several 2006 and 2007 NCAA National Championship teams, including the 2007 Auburn's men's and women's swimming and diving teams and the 2006 Auburn women's track and field team, on Monday afternoon on the South Lawn of the White House.

"I appreciate the fact that you've endured tough practices, that you've set big goals, and you worked hard to achieve them. And so we congratulate your coaches, we congratulate your families -- but, most importantly, we congratulate you. We honor America's champs," said President Bush as he addressed the championship teams in attendance.

"You've distinguished yourselves on fields and fairways, tracks and tennis courts, rivers and rinks, pommel horses and pools, bowling alleys, mountains and basketball arenas. You have one thing in common: You have achieved the great title, "champion," and nobody can take that away from you."

Auburn, which has won five consecutive men's national titles and five of the last six NCAA women's championships, presented the President with a beach towel with his name embroidered on it and both men's and women's Auburn swimsuits.

"This is a wonderful event and it is a great day for Auburn to be so well represented here today. This is what we are in business for, to win championships. So, Auburn people should be very proud," said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs.

"What these men and women that represent Auburn have done is phenomenal and it's great to know as a daddy of three that we have people the caliber of our student-athletes that will be leading my children one day. As an Auburn person, I'm just as proud as I can be for their accomplishments, but I'm more proud of them as people for what they have accomplished while they have been at Auburn."

Following the announcement of each Auburn squad, President Bush led the crowd in a chant of "War Eagle."

"It was awesome. We've probably taken a little for granted because this is the second time for the women and fifth for the men, but when you actually get here and get in this situation, you understand how big of a deal it is and how big of an honor it is," said women's swimmer Adrienne Binder. "Especially being a senior, and realizing it is my last time to have the opportunity to do something like that, it is something that I will remember forever."

Binder and men's team senior John Scott, who were selected to present the President with the team gifts, and represent their respective squads as part of the ceremony.

"It's an unbelievable honor to meet the most powerful man in the world and the head of your country and shake his hand and have him give you gratitude for what you and your team have done. Just representing my team meant more to me than anything else," said Scott.

 The trip marked the third-consecutive year that Auburn has been recognized at the White House. On July 12, 2005, the Auburn men's swimming and diving team was recognized for their 2005 national championship and on April 6, 2006, the men's and women's swimming and diving teams were recognized for their NCAA championship sweep.

"It's always a little bit different but it never gets old. The majesty of this setting and the history and excellence that has occurred here is nothing short of inspiring," said former Auburn head swimming coach David Marsh.

"It was fun to see President Bush bantering with the athletes and having fun with us about making a home here. You can tell he has caught on to the "War Eagle" thing right well. We're very proud of not just being here again but making this a tradition."

Also at the ceremony were: UC Irvine men's volleyball, UC Santa Barbara men's soccer, Georgia Tech women's tennis, Pepperdine men's tennis, Vanderbilt women's bowling, Wisconsin men's indoor track and field, Dartmouth men's and women's skiing, Michigan State men's ice hockey, Cal women's crew, Florida men's basketball, Florida State men's outdoor track and field, Maryland women's field hockey, Wisconsin women's ice hockey, Georgia women's gymnastics, Northwestern women's lacrosse, Stanford women's tennis, UCLA women's water polo, Cal men's water polo, Colorado men's cross country, North Carolina women's soccer, Georgia men's tennis, Nebraska women's volleyball, Penn State men's and women's fencing, Penn State men's gymnastics and Stanford men's golf.

Comments