Sept. 13, 2010
WASHINGTON D.C. - Monday's White House reception for NCAA team champions with President Obama included a lot of handshakes and brief conversations on the South Lawn of the White House.
Texas A&M men's and women's track and field national championship teams had at least a couple of athletes, Porscha Lucas and Gerald Phiri, who engaged the 44th President of the United States in conversation as various Aggies were able to shake hands with President Obama.
"I was able to talk to the President, it was so exciting," said Lucas, a 19-time All-American at A&M who won a pair of NCAA Championships in the 200 as well as four consecutive 4 x 100 relay titles and one indoor 4 x 400 relay crown. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm very happy we had this chance to meet the President with other NCAA championship teams.
"He asked me which events I compete in and what my times were. He said I was fast. It would be interesting to meet him again and talk to him more. Maybe we can set up a race, or something, and see what he can do."
Phiri, a two-time NCAA finalist in the 100 and 200 meters, added: "I'm pretty good at dragging conversations out of people. I told him I run the 100 meters and he asked how fast I run. I prolonged the conversation as long as I could. It was very impressive that he took the time to converse with a lot of the athletes. I was honored that he stopped to talk with me.
"He joked that he may be able to keep up with me over a 40-meter race. Honestly, there wouldn't be much competition. I'm sure he can run the country better than me, but when it comes to the track that is my domain."
Teams from various NCAA Championship squads from the past school year each had their picture taken in front of the White House and then enjoyed refreshments.
A live band supplied school songs during the reception. When the Aggie War Hymn was played, the Aggie track and field team, which numbered 28 athletes, gathered to saw varsity horns off on the South Lawn.
President Obama addressed the gathering with a speech that focused on the dedication of the student-athlete and the accomplishments they attained with their respective national team championships.
Then President Obama spent close to an hour greeting hundreds of individuals as he made his way from the podium back to the White House,
Prior to the White House visit on Monday afternoon, the Aggies visited Union Station and took a tour of the Capitol earlier in the day. When the Texas A&M squad arrived in the Washington D.C. area on Sunday they toured the Lincoln Memorial as well as the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials.