鈥淭oday we鈥檙e here to celebrate a Louisville team that always played hard, that always worked together, that stayed focused on one singular goal, and that is to bust my bracket,鈥 Obama said.
鈥淭his year I was close,鈥 he continued. 鈥淚 had the Cardinals in the title game, but I guess I doubted the motivational power of making your 60-year-old coach promise to get a tattoo if you win. We鈥檙e not going to ask Coach to show it at the White House, but I have to hand it to you, Coach. You did not chicken out. You kept your word and in return you got something that will stay with you forever鈥攁 shirtless picture of you on the Internet. That will never be erased.鈥
Joking aside, the president recounted the team鈥檚 athletic accomplishments that led to its national champion title. He also commended the players鈥 academic and service accomplishments.
Using Kevin Ware鈥檚 suffering a compound leg fracture in the NCAA Elite Eight game against Duke as a symbol of the team鈥檚 spirit and resilience, Obama noted that team members also show those characteristics in the classroom, where they have a cumulative GPA of almost 3.3, and in the community where they are involved in fundraising and service.
鈥淚 want to thank everybody with the Cardinals organization for their outstanding performances, their leadership and their contributions not just to Louisville, not just to Kentucky, but to the entire country,鈥 Obama said. 鈥淐ongratulations on the national title and, from what I鈥檝e seen in the preseason polls, we might see you back here at some point.鈥
Coach Rick Pitino presented Obama with a red Louisville Slugger baseball bat and a UofL basketball jersey.
鈥淭his is a tremendous capping-off of an unbelievable season,鈥 he said.