White House visit
UD men's basketball team visits White House, dines with vice president
1:18 p.m., May 9, 2014--The University of Delaware men’s basketball team was rewarded for its tremendous 2013-14 season with a visit to the White House as well as dinner at the residence of Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, May 8.
Biden spoke with the team and then helped lead them on a tour of the White House.
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The Blue Hens wrapped up the day by joining Biden at his residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory for a cookout dinner. Afterward he gave the contingent a tour of the grounds as well as his home.
“I was so darn proud of them,” said Biden, a 1965 UD graduate. “They had a heck of a season, winning the conference with that nice last shot. And I thought they played Michigan State really tough.”
“Going into the Oval Office might have been the coolest place I’ve been during my life,” said UD head coach Monté Ross, who recently completed his eighth season in Newark. “This was such an unbelievable trip. Vice President Biden is a down-to-earth, regular guy, which is refreshing for such a powerful person.”
“I was so excited, because I had never been to the White House before,” junior point guard Jarvis Threatt stated. “The entire day was just a blessing, and I felt like I was witnessing history. It was great to hear all the interesting facts and see the different rooms. It was a dream come true. The vice president is a great guy and a cool person.”
Delaware won its fifth conference title in school history, including its first Colonial Athletic Association title, while going 25-10 during the 2013-14 campaign. The Blue Hens went 14-2 in the conference to earn the top seed in the CAA tournament before winning three consecutive games, including a dramatic 75-74 comeback win over William and Mary in the title contest.
UD then made the fifth NCAA tournament appearance in school history, battling 11th-ranked Michigan State before falling to the Spartans, 93-78, in a second round game in Spokane, Wash.
Article by Kevin Tritt
Photos by Evan Krape