    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [June 2, 1995]
    [Pages 802-803]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Champions
    June 2, 1995

        The President. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry
    that other events dictated that we started a little late today, but I
    want to welcome all of you to the White House and all the people who
    have come from California and Connecticut: Senator Lieberman,
    Congresswoman Kennelly, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman Gejdenson;
    and from California, the president of--the chancellor of UCLA,
    Chancellor Young; and the officers of UConn, the chairman of the board,
    Lew Rome, and the president, Harry Hartley. I am delighted to welcome
    all of you back to the White House who have been here before and those
    who are coming for the first time, to welcome you here.
        You know, we ought to get something obvious out of the way. These
    championships were hard on the Vice President and me. I mean, we just
    have to hope our ticket does a little better in '96. [Laughter]
        But some of you know, I am a near-fanatic basketball fan, and I
    think that any serious student of basketball would have to say that this
    year in the championship, not only the teams with the best records but
    the best teams in the United States won the championships and deserve--
    [inaudible].
        I remember vividly when Tyus Edney came out of the final game with
    his wrist injury, and all the people were saying, ``Well, this may be
    the undoing of UCLA.'' And I was sitting there looking at the team and I
    said, ``I don't think so.'' [Laughter] I remember people--the
    discussions that I've heard, year-in and year-out, about how you have to
    have 10 players to win the final. And in the final, when you see the
    really great players with their adrenalin pumping, I don't think so.
        And so, I want to congratulate again Coach Harrick and the Bruins on
    reviving UCLA's magnificent tradition, winning their 11th national
    title, and I think that they've got a great future. I also want to
    congratulate Ed O'Bannon on being selected the most outstanding player
    of the tournament and the NCAA player of the year for his fantastic
    season.
        I do want to say one thing. I had the privilege of coming to UCLA
    and giving the commencement address and being with Chancellor Young a
    couple of years ago. I have to chide you on one thing: I've been very
    proud of the very outspoken and courageous stance you've taken in favor
    of continuing affirmative action programs, so we can--[applause]--but if
    you had really believed in spreading opportunity around, you would not
    have permitted both the O'Bannon brothers to be on your team. [Laughter]
    Nonetheless, I forgive you for that minor lapse. [Laughter]
        I also want to say a special word of appreciation to Coach Geno
    Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies for establishing the most
    outstanding winning record in the history of college basketball, men or
    women's basketball. I want to congratulate Rebecca Lobo, who couldn't be
    here today. We're all sorry about that. But she's representing the U.S.
    national team in games in Europe. She once wrote to the president of the
    Celtics, saying that she'd be the first woman to play for their team.
    All I can say is that may or may not happen. But the Connecticut Huskies
    did more to make the rest of America appreciate women's basketball than
    any team has ever done. And they made millions of fans that will help
    other university teams all across this country for years and years and
    years in the future, and we thank you for that.
        So let me say I'm glad you're here. I also want to say to the coach,
    this team came to the White House once before, and somebody messed it
    up, and they didn't get in, even the back door. Today they came in the
    front door

    [[Page 803]]

    with full honors, and I'd like to invite their coach to come up for a
    few words. Thank you, and congratulations.

    [At this point, University of Connecticut women's coach Geno Auriemma
    made brief remarks, and team captain Pam Webber presented gifts to the
    President. University of California, Los Angeles men's coach Jim Harrick
    then made brief remarks, and team captain Ed O'Bannon presented gifts to
    the President.]

        The President. Is that your dad? [Laughter] Stand up, Daddy.
    [Laughter]
        Now, here's what we're going to do. I'm going to take a picture with
    each team, and then we're going to break up, take the ropes down, we'll
    all visit a little, okay?
        But you know, every year this is so humbling for me. Most days I
    wake up and I'm 6 foot 2\1/2\ inches, and I'm halfway tall. This day I'm
    just another person looking up. [Laughter]
        Thank you all for coming. It was a great day. Thanks.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:30 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Charles E. Young, chancellor,
    University of California, Los Angeles.