By Katherine K. Gardiner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 28, 1997

Presidential sa'Lute'

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Miles Simon takes time away from a group shot to do his best impersonation of former President Richard Nixon. Simon was named Most Valuable Player of the 1997 NCAA Tournament.

Katherine K. Gardiner

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Surrounded by press, alumni and family, the NCAA champion men's basketball team met with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in a mid-morning press conference yesterday at the White House.

"I was astonished at the performance of the Arizona Wildcats," Clinton said in a brief speech.

He said the knee injury he sustained earlier this year allowed him to watch most of the tournament on television.

Clinton also mentioned the playing ability of freshman guard Mike Bibby, whom, he said, "didn't look like a freshman on the court."

Bibby later said it made him feel good that a person like the president recognized him and his accomplishments.

The Wildcats presented the president and vice president with team jerseys and caps with "Clinton" and "Gore" emblazoned on the back.

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Vice President Al Gore addresses the crowd that includes the national champion men's basketball team, alumni and the press. The team presented team jerseys and caps to President Clinton and Gore.

Coach Lute Olson poked fun at the president's support of his home state, Arkansas, during the 1994 battle for the championship and said if he had been cheering for the Wildcats they would have been to the White House sooner.

Olson also commented on the season ahead and said the team was sticking to the four things that won them the 1997 championship.

He said they would play hard, play with understanding of the game, play together and have fun playing.

"It doesn't seem quite real. It's like winning the championship. It doesn't sink in right away," Olson said about meeting the president.

After meeting with the president, the Wildcats gathered at the Russell Senate Building for a luncheon with Arizona alumni, fans and the Arizona congressional delegation. In between bites, the players and coaches signed autographs and smiled for endless camera flashes. "My signature is getting better since I've had so much practice at it," said junior guard Jason Terry.

"I've never seen some of our guys in suits before. Maybe we'll have to start them wearing them (suits) to classes," said Olson to the luncheon attendees.

Following the luncheon the team was led on a tour of the Capitol Building by Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe, R- Tucson, including the old House of Representatives Chambers and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich's, R-Ga., private balcony and office.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor also met with the team in the Supreme Court Chambers. She said she was proud of the team.

The Wildcats finished up the day with a night tour of the city's monuments. They were scheduled to return to Tucson today.