July 12, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. - When the outgoing seniors on this year's Northwestern women's lacrosse team began their careers at Northwestern, back in the fall of 2001, they probably did not suspect that their last act as a player in the program would be meeting the President of the United States.

That was the case July 12, though, as the Wildcats joined 14 other NCAA championship teams for "Champions Day" at the White House.

The Wildcats -- sans four teammates, who had commitments overseas -- were photographed with President Bush, and later convened on the South Lawn for a ceremony where the President honored all the teams in attendance.

After arriving at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a little after 8 a.m., the Wildcats took advantage of some free time in the White House's East Wing. Several large portraits hang in this part of the White House, and Northwestern coaches as well as players took the opportunity to snap photos in front of portraits of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and others.

Northwestern also was able to get President Bush to sign a game jersey from this past season (Donna McCann's No. 1, of course), and they presented him with a custom-made lacrosse stick -- the head of the stick was purple and emblazoned with "GWB43" (Bush is the nation's 43rd President).

"The whole experience was pretty awesome," said NU head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. "President Bush was funny and great with the players during the photo, and it was great to tour the White House and just be there."

We hope to have a photo gallery in the near future from this historic day for the NU lacrosse program.