NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Champion Virginia Union Visits the White House
June 6, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – The 2005 Division II Men’s Basketball National Champion Virginia Union University Panthers will be guests of President George W. Bush at the White House today at 5:00 p.m. The 2005 CIAA Champions will attend a White House South Lawn reception, marking the first time a CIAA team has been invited to the White House after winning the national championship.The Panthers won their second consecutive CIAA men’s basketball championship defeating Fayetteville State University, 82-71, in front of a capacity crowd at the RBC Center and a live national television audience ESPN2. The Panthers then went on to defeat Bryant University 63-58, March 26, in the NCAA Division II national championship title game. Virginia Union posted a 30-4 record while capturing its third NCAA Division II national title under Coach Dave Robbins.
Last month, U.S. Senators George Allen (R-VA) and John Warner (R-VA) introduced and passed Senate Resolution 102 commending Virginia Union’s basketball team and coaches for winning the 2005 NCAA Division II Championship. In addition, the team was honored with a standing ovation at the Virginia House of Delegates. This was the first time the Virginia State Assembly honored an athletic team from a historically black college or university.
Senators Allen and Warner were also key in the Panthers’ invitation to the White House.
“Virginia Union winning the national championship provides great exposure for the university, the CIAA and Historical Black Colleges and Universities, collectively,” said Leon G. Kerry, commissioner of the CIAA. “The CIAA continues to produce championship-caliber basketball, as it has for years. VUU’s win was a shot in the arm for all HBCUs, especially those residing in the CIAA.”
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