[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
[June 3, 1993]
[Pages 806-807]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to Central State University NAIA Champion Athletic Teams
June 3, 1993

    Thank you. Please sit down, ladies and gentlemen. I want to welcome 
all of you here and especially say a word of welcome and thanks to 
Senator Glenn and Mrs. Glenn and their daughter. Senator Glenn made this 
occasion possible today.
    I want to welcome a group of extraordinary student athletes, the 
Marauders and Lady Marauders of Central State University, winners of the 
NAIA championships in football as well as men and women's indoor and 
outdoor track and field. I want to welcome the Central State president 
Dr. Arthur Thomas.
    These teams have been remarkably successful. First of all, Central 
State's football team captured the 1992 NAIA Division One national 
championship with a come-from-behind victory over--what school? 
[Laughter] This was no fluke. For Coach Billy Joe, named Division One 
Coach of the Year, it was the second time that

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he's won a national title in 3 years. Coach Joe has guided Central State 
to the playoffs for the past six seasons and to the finals for the past 
three. His winning formula: the three D's he preaches to his players, 
drive, desire, and determination. These are good words to live by not 
only on the playing field but here in Washington as well. That is surely 
what drove the senior quarterback, Henderson Moseley, to lead his team 
to two touchdowns in the second half of the championship, after being 
carried off in the first half with a severe ankle injury. I've been 
through that sort of campaign myself. [Laughter]
    Coach Joe, you've earned a fourth D for the Marauders, dynasty. 
That's what you've put together. And I must say, I've carried a special 
interest in this team because you had to run over the University of 
Central Arkansas a couple of times in playing for these championships. 
So we followed it very interestingly.
    Now, let me move on to track. The Marauders and the Lady Marauders 
this year swept the Division One national indoor and outdoor track and 
field championships, making history. I'm told that this is the first 
time any college in any league has won four outright team championships 
in track and field in one year. What a sweet victory, especially for 
Coach Josh Culbreath, a former Olympian who was also named Coach of the 
Year. Where is he? You come on down here.
    Now, I'm told that Coach Culbreath is known as Pop, although he 
doesn't look old enough to be my pop. [Laughter] He came out of 
retirement 4 years ago to revitalize track and field at Central State. 
It's amazing what somebody can accomplish in just 4 years.
    This was the first national title in both indoor and outdoor track. 
At the indoor championship, they captured the title by winning the mile 
relay in the final event. They also swept the 600-yard run behind the 
winning pace of team member Neil DeSilva. This young man went on to 
clock winning times in both the 200- and 400-meter dash, to help them 
win the outdoor championship.
    The Lady Marauders took their indoor title and also their first, 
winning 6 out of 16 events with record-setting performance and double 
wins by both Carolyn Sterling and Sherdon Smith. Outdoors, the Lady 
Marauders claimed their third consecutive NAIA championship, a 
``threepeat.'' Dionne Hemming set a world record for the 400-meter 
hurdles on her way to earning the title of Most Outstanding Female 
Performer. Jumping hurdles can also be a useful skill in this city. But 
I understand Dionne could not be with us here today because she's in 
Spain.
    On behalf of our Nation, let me salute all of you for your fine 
performances. You are teams with truly a proven track record. As student 
athletes at an historically African- American institution, you can be 
proud of your many achievements. Your drive and your desire and your 
determination are an example for all Americans.
    I want to congratulate both the coaches, give them a chance to say 
something. And thank you again, Senator Glenn, for bringing them here 
today to the Rose Garden.

Note: The President spoke at 5 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House.