USC Men's Tennic Visits White House
By Alexander Nguyen
Daily Trojan (USC)

The USC men’s tennis team visited the White House on Tuesday as part of NCAA Sports Championship Day. The 11th seeded Trojans pulled a 4-1 upset against No. 1 Georgia last May for USC’s 16th national title. The Trojans were the lowest-seeded team to win the NCAA title.

The men’s tennis team was honored, along with the nine other spring NCAA champions. The day started with a tour of the White House at 1:30 p.m. EDT. President George W. Bush addressed the teams in the East Room before posing for pictures in the State Dining Room.

Being post-Sept. 11, the president started his speech with a somber reminder that this is a challenging time in American history.

“You’re here during extraordinary times,” he said. “This is a time of challenge for our country. It’s really a time to determine the fiber of our nation, the character of our people.”

Then, he advised all the champions to be community leaders and set an example for the younger generations.

“I happen to believe you have a responsibility to set an example for others,” he said. “That as you succeed on the field of play, you’ve got to remember there are youngsters looking at you, trying to determine how they should live their life.”

This is the second USC tennis team honored, and the first to be present at the ceremony. All members of the tennis team were present, including Coach Emeritus Dick Leach.

As the president highlighted the achievement of the USC tennis team, former team captain and current USC medical student Andrew Park presented him with a tennis racket with an inscription on the handle. On the right side it reads, “USC,” and the left side reads “President George W.

Bush on the warm up.” When Park gave him the racket, the president threw a fake backhand
motion.

Park said the experience was surreal. Before coming on stage, Park was trying to “psyche” himself out, saying that he was going to shake just another man’s hand and not the president of the United States.

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “I feel like I’m still living in a dream. I still can’t believe it.”

The ceremony was even more meaningful, as Leach was also present.
“It was great for coach,” Park said.

Leach has been at USC for 23 years and he led USC to four national championships.
“It was overwhelming,” Leach said. “It was awesome. I feel like the luckiest person in world right now.”

Leach said this event was very special for him — to be back with his team again.
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