National champion women's lacrosse visits President Bush at White House

There are several ways to earn the priviledge of meeting with the President of the United States of America.

The most obvious, of course, is to work for him. In George W. Bush's White House, people like national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and Chief of Staff Andrew Card meet with the President on a daily basis.

If you're not a member of the select few with entrance passes to the real west wing, there's another way — do something outstanding on the national stage.

If you need any help coming up with superlative ideas about getting into the White House, just ask the women's lacrosse team.

On Tuesday, as part of a larger group of NCAA national champions from last year, the Tigers traveled to Washington for a chance to meet with the President in the East Dining Room of the White House.

Missing only two of their teammates from the 2002 championship team — Brooke Owens '02, who is in Denmark, and Charlotte Kenworthy '02, who is in Australia — the Tigers presented the President with a little reminder of Princeton's rivalry with his alma mater.

The team gave Bush a t-shirt with the score of last year's game against Yale — a game Princeton won, 11-5.

Bush laughed at the gift, shook hands with all the teams there — including the baseball and softball championship teams from Texas and California.

The event was more than just an opportunity for the teams to reflect on their past successes. Bush challenged those present to look to the future as well.

"A champion on the field can be a champion off the field by mentoring a child or caring for somebody in need or helping to eliminate pockets of despair and hopelessness in the country," Bush said.

"You've got an opportunity as champions to be champions off the field in the community in which you live. And there's no question in my mind that when you put your mind to it, you can."

Several of the Tigers commented on the impressive surroundings and heady feeling of standing in a room full of champions.

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"A room full of champions and the President of the United States," senior captain Whitney Miller said. "What more could you ask for?"

"It's a great priviledge to go to the White House and meet the President of the United States," NCAA tournament MVP and 2002 co-captain Lauren Simone '02 said.

"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."

Head coach Chris Sailer summed up the day's emotions saying, "You could feel the excitement. For a lot of us it was the first-ever visit to the White House and we were able to interact with the President."