Wolverines Enjoy White House Visit, Day in D.C.
7/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The University of Michigan softball continues to enjoy the fruits of the program's first national championship with a special experience today that was highlighted by a visit as well as photo-op with President George W. Bush, as well as tours of the East Wing of the White House and Capitol Hill (July 12).
"People ask me what it felt like to meet the President and I have no idea how to answer that," acknowledged senior-to-be Becky Marx. "I was standing right behind the leader of the free world and it's an experience you can't explain."
After arriving at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a little after 8 a.m., the Wolverines took advantage of some free time in the White House's East Wing. Several large portraits hang in this part of the White House and Michigan coaches as well as players took the opportunity to snap photos in front of portraits of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and University of Michigan's own Gerald Ford, a former Wolverine letterwinner in football.
Sharing this experience with 14 other NCAA championship teams from 2005, the Wolverines were able to interact and take a team photo with President Bush where co-captain Nicole Motycka presented him with a jersey and Mott's wristband.
Following a ceremony on the South Lawn and lunch at Old Ebbit Grill, the Wolverines headed up to Capitol Hill for a reception at the Rayburn House where the 2005 softball champs were joined by a Michigan delegation of alums working on the Hill as well as several members of congress. Congressional members who spoke and met the team included Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow along with House of Representative members John Dingell, Vernon Ehlers, Dale Kildee, Joe Schwarz and Fred Upton.
A tour of the Capitol ensued and included a unique opporunity to sit in the visitor's gallery and witness first-hand the 109th House of Representatives in session from the same room President Bush delivers his State of the Union address.
The Michigan contingent closed the day in D.C. with a chance to enjoy the National Mall at their own pace where several Wolverines players and coaches took in the memorials for the Korean and Vietnam Wars as well, the newly-minted World War II Memorial which opened this past fall, and the Lincoln Memorial.
"We were able to experience some special things today," remarked Michigan coach Carol Hutchins. "To sit in the same place where the State of the Union is delivered and spend time in the White House is something these kids will always remember."
Contact: Rich Marion (734-763-4423)
