PrincetonUniversity
 

Women's lacrosse team honored at the White House

by Tom Milajecki
U.S. President George W. Bush honored Princeton's 2002 national champion women's lacrosse team at the White House on Tuesday. The Tigers joined NCAA title teams from last spring in a championship celebration in the President's East Room.

The Tigers arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and were promptly greeted by President Bush in the East Dining Room. After an exchange of banter between the President and players, the NCAA champions of the spring were introduced to members of the media as they entered the East Room.

Following the introduction of the national champion men's lacrosse team from Syracuse, President Bush turned to the players and remarked, "I know the Syracuse men beat Princeton; it's lucky you didn't play the women this year," further commenting on how the Tigers became the best women's lacrosse team in the history of the school.

To the amusement of all those in attendance, the women of Old Nassau presented President Bush with a Princeton lacrosse T-shirt that featured the 11-5 score of last season's final match against Yale. Bush, a Yale alumnus, accepted the shirt with good humor and displayed it to the White House media.

All but two members of the 2002 championship squad were in attendance. "It was very fun reliving the NCAA championship," said senior Sarah Small. "It was great seeing some of last year's seniors and to be able to experience this with them."

Small, along with Rachael Becker and Whitney Miller, will captain the 2003 Tigers as they look to repeat as champions and get back to the White House.

"It's a great privilege to go to the White House and meet the President of the United States," said last year's NCAA tournament MVP and 2002 co-captain Lauren Simone. "Just when I thought all the excitement from winning a national championship would die down, we meet the President and have the experience of a lifetime. It was a great day."

The full story is available on the Athletics Web site.

Lauren Simone presents President George W. Bush with a commemorative shirt from last season's win over Yale. Simone and Tigers were honored at the White House Tuesday afternoon.

photo: Tom Milajecki