Despite the horrifically terrible start time, the team hopped on a plane – private, natch – to make the trek to the nation’s capital to be honored by Barack Obama himself for its latest championship.
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“I was telling folks, this is becoming like the annual Christmas tree lighting”, Obama said, drawing laughter in the East Room.
Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma holds the national championship trophy after the second half of the NCAA women’s Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Notre Dame, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Tampa, Fla.
Obama also praised the team for academic accomplishment and civic volunteerism, saying that these women do Thanksgiving and winter food drives.
Obama said the team serves as an example to young women, including his two daughters, because they are empowered when theyve got a whole bunch of people ahead of them who are doing great stuff..
“[Stewart] has game”, Obama said. When you walk in that door, it’s still a special feeling.
They also spend their afternoons with senior citizens, Obama said.
“I don’t want to jinx it but no team has ever won four in a row”.
“If you get here again, we might have to name the White House basketball court after you”, he said.
“He’s going to be here one more year”.
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“This is an incredible honor and it doesn’t matter how many times you are here”, Auriemma said.
