    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [May 24, 2004]
    [Pages 918-919]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Honoring the 2003 Women's National Basketball Association
    Champion Detroit Shock
    May 24, 2004

        The President. Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the Rose Garden,
    and congratulations to the 2003 WNBA championship team from Detroit.
    That's who we're here to honor. It's good to welcome the
    coach. [Laughter] I don't know if 20
    years ago they would have thought of you as a coach.

        William Laimbeer, Jr. I know. I
    know. [Laughter]

        The President. But he made a pretty darn good one, didn't
    he? I'm real proud of your leadership.

        I want to thank Tom Wilson for being here;
    Val Ackerman, here as well. I want to thank the
    players and the coaches for coming.
        This is an historic season for the Shock. After all, you went from
    worst to first. Isn't that right?
        Team member. Yes, that's right. [Laughter]
        The President. And interestingly enough, in winning the
    championship, you drew the largest crowd in league history, which says
    something about the talent and the flair and the charisma of the
    players. I think one of the things that good teams do is, they decide to
    be a team. They come together and say, ``We're going to win as a team.''
    And that's what this team did. There was tremendous discipline, hard
    work, and good leadership. And I'm proud of the fact, and I know the
    women on this team are, that you were Coach of the Year in the WNBA.

    [[Page 919]]

        I said they came together as a team, but they had great talent. Ruth
    Riley was the WNBA Finals MVP. The Rookie of the
    Year was Cheryl Ford, and a member of the 2004
    Olympic team was Swin Cash. This is a team with
    talent but learned to blend the talent for a greater whole.
        They tell me that they changed the road there by the stadium to
    Three Championship Drive. Is that right?
        Team member. Yes, that's right.
        The President. It must be pretty intimidating for a team to pull up
    on Three Championship Drive to play.
        I also appreciate most of all the fact that many of the players on
    this team are involved with helping others. I know there is a strong
    commitment to literacy on the team. These women understand that a child
    cannot succeed in America unless they can read, and I appreciate you
    taking your championship status and converting it into something really
    important in our society, besides winning basketball games.
        Swin Cash and Ruth Riley have come to the National Book Festival. I know because
    my wife was the founder of it, and she was most
    appreciative. I appreciate so much the Steps to Success program, which
    gives the players a chance to speak to children about nutrition and
    exercise and self-image. In other words, these players are mentors as
    well as good players. They've achieved an interesting status, a
    championship status, and now they convert it to helping somebody change
    their life or somebody to be loved.
        I appreciate so very much the McKeesport, Pennsylvania, effort.
    Coach, when you had the whole team
    there to distribute 20 tons of food, I mean, it's a really fine example
    of what a champion means.
        And so today it's my honor to welcome to the Rose Garden true
    champs--great athletes and really fine people. Congratulations. I'm glad
    you're here.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:08 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to William Laimbeer, Jr., head coach,
    and Ruth Riley, Cheryl Ford, and Swin Cash, players, Detroit Shock; Tom
    Wilson, president and chief executive officer, Palace Sports &
    Entertainment; and Val Ackerman, president, Women's National Basketball
    Association.