PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TRANSCRIPT
"Welcome to the White House everybody. And congratulations on bringing Carolina its fifth national championship. More importantly, thanks for salvaging my bracket ... and vindicating me before the entire nation.
"I want to congratulate everybody who makes this program work - from the assistants to the trainers to the students to the ticket takers to Tar Heel fans everywhere - you should all be very proud. And by the way I have a few Tar Heel fans on my staff standing right here.
"I want to offer special congratulations to the seven seniors who graduated yesterday - Mike Copeland, Bobby Frasor, Danny Green, Tyler Hansbrough, Patrick Moody, J.B. Tanner and Jack Wooten. I am proud of all of you.
"I have to tell you everybody on my staff was really excited about the team coming except my assistant Reggie Love. Reggie did win his own national championship ring while playing at Duke and at some point he wants to scrimmage with you guys - so we'll have to arrange that.
"I want to thank Coach Roy Williams, and his wife Wanda, who was extraordinarily gracious and I had a wonderful time visiting with them. What makes Coach Williams one of the great coaches isn't just his extraordinary record, but his dedication to his players. He's just as serious about making these guys men and leaders as he is into making them champions.
"Now, I did have a chance to play ball with this crew just over a year ago when I visited Chapel Hill. I don't know who rubbed off on who - there was just a good vibe going on there - because they are now national champions and I'm president. I remember congratulating Tyler on forgoing the NBA Draft to come back after winning the 2008 National Player of the Year - I think it worked out pretty well for him. So congratulations to you, again, Tyler.
"When we played, everybody went out of their way to pass me the ball, set screens for me, let me take a shot, Tyler chose not to block my shot, but I was so intimidated by him being near me that I missed it. There was one exception, though: Jack Wooten. He stole the ball from me, he blocked my shot, he fouled me once - Coach Williams had to remind him that there were a bunch of guys with guns around. But just to show that there are no hard feelings, Jack, I want to congratulate you. He made Phi Beta Kappa this year, that's worth applauding. To achieve academic excellence as part of a national championship is extraordinary. And I know that Jack is interested in public service and we need more young people like him to serve our country. So, Jack, any time you're ready - jump on board.
"I know Coach Williams instills the importance of academics into all of these guys, which is why they didn't just plow through the Tournament, they also had the highest graduation rate. What they understood is that being a champion doesn't stop when you step off the court. In fact, they spend a remarkable amount of their time off the court in the service to others. They hold a Special Olympics clinic every year, in which they scrimmage with Special Olympians and teach them basketball skills. Coach Williams has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for North Carolina charities. Every Christmas these guys compete with one another to see how can get the most creative Christmas gifts for underprivileged children who need a little bit of hope. All of this makes the Chapel Hill community stronger, it makes the state of North Carolina stronger, it makes our country stronger and I know this team gets a lot out of it as well.
"So, it's all a reflection of the great character of the program, but also the great character of the coach. He's just one of my favorite people and one of the most gracious individuals you could ever care to meet.
"I want to congratulate you, Coach Williams, I want to congratulate all you guys on an outstanding season. And I've got to also say to Ty Lawson, you had an unbelievable season, so congratulations. Playing a little gimpy and still just tearing it up, so we're very proud of you.
"Thank you everybody. Give these guys a big round of applause and good luck next season."
(Photos by AP, Video from WRAL)