    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 22 (Monday, June 7, 1993)]
    [Pages 1026-1027]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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 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

    [[Page 1027]]

    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.