Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Visit White House (3-26-04)
3/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -The 2003 national champion Indiana men's soccer team was recognized by President George W. Bush Tuesday afternoon on the White House South Lawn. The Hoosiers were one of five 2003 fall national championship teams honored by the President, including the LSU and USC football teams, the USC volleyball team and the North Carolina women's soccer team.
According to legendary Indiana soccer coach Jerry Yeagley, the White House visit capped a storybook season for the Hoosiers. Despite a 2-3-4 record in its first nine games, IU bounced back to win 15 straight games en route to the sixth national title in school history.
"The trip was great, but specifically with the president, he just blew me away basically," said Yeagley, who retired at the end of the 2003 season. He closed his career with a record of 544-101-45 (.821). He is only the second coach in NCAA Division I men's soccer history to post 500 career wins, and his 544 career wins rank No. 1 among Division I men's coaches. "He was well prepared and seemed very sincere. He made me and our team feel like we were the most important item on his agenda. Most of our guys had never been there. We had a nice tour of the D.C. area."
It was a great experience. He went on about each team with no notes, and no one helping him. He definitely knew a lot about each of the teams there."
Indiana Athletic Director Terry Clapacs echoed Yeagley's sentiments.
"What an honor for Indiana University, the players and coaches to make a trip to the White House and to meet with the President," Clapacs said. "President Bush is very gracious to do that, and that is something that no one will ever forget."
Just as few teams have the chance to play for a national title, the opportunity to meet the President of the United States is even more rare.
"It was the thrill of a lifetime, an experience few people will ever have," senior Drew Shinabarger said. "It was just great to be around such important people. We elected these people to make some very important decisions."
Shinabarger's appearance in Washington is even more distinct, as he presented President Bush with an Indiana soccer jersey that included Bush and the No. 1 on the back.
"I told him that it was the first IU jersey with six stars on it (a Hoosier tradition signifying their total number of national championships)," Shinabarger said. "He just thanked me for it, and we had our picture taken."
The President Bush meeting/photo opportunity highlighted a busy day for the Hoosiers in our nation's capital. The IU travel party arrived in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning, and after a tour of the city, met Congressman Baron Hill for lunch at The Hay Adam Hotel.
Following a tour of The White House and meeting President Bush, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh addressed the Hoosiers on the steps of The Capitol Building. The IU travel party concluded the evening with an alumni reception at the National Press Club.
