The White House welcomed NCAA national champions from across the country on Monday, celebrating their accomplishments as part of College Athlete Day. The Biden administration invited every national champion from the past academic year, with 52 teams making the trip to the nation's capital. The White House frequently hosts champion teams from the world of sports, but College Athlete Day was the first time it hosted NCAA national champions from all three divisions.
It was a memorable moment for athletes and coaches who had already reached the pinnacle of their sport earlier in the season.
"This is definitely the cherry on top. All of our hard work on and off the ice this year. It came down to that national championship game, and we definitely earned it," said Zach Tyson, a Hobart/William Smith graduate student and men's ice hockey player.
For some student-athletes, the excitement of winning a championship was fresh in their minds. Many showed up in their official team gear or national championship merchandise. Cal Poly Humbolt won the Division II rowing championship only two weeks ago.
"It's just awesome to spend today with all the people that I love so much," said team member Dana Foley, a senior. "It feels really special because our team is made up mostly of new rowers. To win early in our careers is really exciting for the future. To get to do this makes it extra meaningful."
College Athlete Day was the first time the White House hosted NCAA national champions from all three divisions (Photo by Jaelyn Arndt / NCAA)
Coaches selected one student-athlete from each team to represent them on stage during the program, with remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris, Texas women's volleyball player and NCAA Division I Volleyball Championship Most Outstanding Player Logan Eggleston, and NCAA President Charlie Baker.
The speakers emphasized the attributes it took for the teams to reach this point and the event as a culmination in a long road to a championship.
"Only the best of the best become a national champion," Harris said. "I know it wasn't easy. You made tremendous sacrifices. Training through injuries, birthdays, vacations and even a pandemic. You know, all of you, what it means to commit and to persevere."
"I'm so proud to be here today with all of you. This is what I love about sports. It can bring people together from all backgrounds and identities," Eggleston said. "The diversity we see here today reflects American society, and the qualities we portray as student-athletes are important values that we as a country continue to exhibit every single day, such as commitment, communication, trust and acceptance."
"E pluribus unum means out of many, one," Baker said, referencing a traditional motto that appears on the Great Seal of the United States. "That is exactly who you are and what you represent here today. You are the national champions in your sports, and you're here today representing all those who played with you and against you."
Watch the full program on the White House YouTube page.
Student-athletes from 52 NCAA national championship teams enjoyed College Athlete Day on the south lawn of the White House. (Photo by Jaelyn Arndt / NCAA)
