[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 17 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Pages 654-655]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Honoring the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Champions

April 23, 2001

    Welcome. Please be seated. This might be a long speech. [Laughter]
    First of all, I want to welcome two great teams from two great 
universities. It is our honor to host you all here at the White House. I 
want to say congratulations to Coach K--the reason I call him Coach K is 
because sometimes I have trouble pronouncing long words--[laughter]--
Coach McGraw, and the players and the representatives from Duke and 
Notre Dame, welcome.
    I want to welcome two fine United States Senators: Senator Helms 
from North Carolina, Senator Lugar from Indiana. Members of the United 
States Congress who are here, thank you all for coming.
    In reviewing the rosters and the success of this club, it is clear 
that both Duke and Notre Dame recruited for athletic talent, but they 
also recruited character, as well. These championships go to prove that 
good people do finish first.
    It is such an honor to welcome Duke back here. It turns out that 
there was another President named Bush that welcomed the Duke team. And 
they dedicated a basketball court right here on the South Lawn during 
that visit. The weather has been such that I haven't been practicing my 
skyhook lately. [Laughter] Looking at the size of some of these guys, 
I'm not sure I want to try to do it now, anyway. [Laughter]
    I know it took a lot of hard work to get here, and there were some 
very close games and tough contests, particularly the ``Fighting Irish'' 
in their final--in the final game won in the last second. I'm reminded 
about what Coach McGraw's son, Murphy, said as he watched the game. He 
said, ``That was scary.'' Murphy, I know what you're talking about. It 
reminds me of election night. [Laughter]
    There's no question that teams require good leadership. And I was 
struck by the quote of one of the stars here who said about Coach K--
just to prove to the press I can say it--Coach Krzyzewski--[laughter]--
``To me, he's been a friend, a mentor, and a brother. I am the luckier 
person for having him have me as a part of my life.'' That's what 
leadership is all about. That's what it means to be somebody who can set 
an example and somebody who understands the responsibilities of the 
assignment. It's not just to win championships; it's to shape lives in a 
positive way.
    And I loved what Coach McGraw said. She said, ``Usually there are 
negative things that occur during the season. But this year I've had not 
to call a single team meeting; I've gotten no complaints from 
professors. We can't even yell at the players, because they do 
everything we ask.'' I need your help with Congress. [Laughter]
    Championships bring an awesome responsibility. Not only do you win a 
trophy, I think you have the obligation of understanding that you have 
enormous influence on people's lives--people you don't even know. People 
look at the champs and say, ``How does a champ behave? What is a champ 
supposed to do?'' Champions not only cut down nets but they can 
influence people's lives by sending positive signals by how they behave, 
not only on the court but off the court. It's a big responsibility. It's 
a huge responsibility. And that's why these two teams are so fortunate 
to have great teamwork and great players.
    I know this was a team effort, and I'm sure the two players I'm 
going to mention, Battier and Riley, are going to be somewhat concerned 
that the President has singled them out. But I want to remind people who 
may not know their histories that not only were they great players, 
they're great people; not

[[Page 655]]

only did they set goals about being the best on the basketball court, 
they set goals of becoming all-academic stars, and they were. They set 
goals of understanding the Golden Rule and living by it.
    These are good people. And I'm sure your teammates are, as well. But 
they set the kind of example that America needs. And all of us who have 
got positions of responsibility, all of us, whether we're a President or 
a coach or a player or a president of a university, must understand that 
with that responsibility comes the necessity to set the right signal all 
throughout America that there's a difference between right and wrong, 
that we can be compassionate, and that we can love a neighbor like we'd 
like to be loved ourselves.
    So it's my huge honor to welcome good teams and good people to the 
White House.

 Note: The President spoke at 10:20 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Muffet McGraw, head women's 
basketball coach, and player Ruth Riley, University of Notre Dame; and 
Mike Krzyzewski, head men's basketball coach, and player Shane Battier, 
Duke University.