The UConn men's basketball team and the LSU women's basketball team will both visit the White House on May 26 to celebrate their respective national championships, the events were announced Monday.
The Huskies defeated San Diego State 76-59 in the national championship game last month in Houston. It was UConn's fifth national title, and first since 2014. The Huskies have celebrated every championship with a visit to the White House.
The Tigers beat National Player of the Year Kaitlin Clark and Iowa 102–85 in the women's national championship game last month. LSU coach Kim Mulkey has now won four titles as coach – his first three came at Baylor, most recently in 2019 – and LSU won its first program title. Mulkey has also visited the White House after each victory.
While the men's side never doubted such a trip, LSU's trip after the Tigers' victory over the Hawkeyes occurred after UConn coach Dan Hurley mistakenly ignored a phone call from President Joe Biden after the victory. Was in the air for a while.
First Lady Jill Biden, who attended the women's national championship game in Dallas, said after the game that she would like to invite both LSU and Iowa to the White House. Traditionally, only the champion visits the White House to celebrate — though that dynamic changed both during the COVID-19 pandemic and during former President Donald trump's time in office.
Jill Biden said at the time, “I know we'll come to the White House champions, we always do.” “So, we hope LSU comes. But you know, I'm going to tell Joe that I think Iowa should come too because they played such a good game.
Jill Biden quickly withdrew after the criticism, and Iowa—though never officially received an invitation—denied such a visit. LSU star Angel Reese initially called Jill Biden's comments on social media “a joke”, later saying she would attend with her team.
“Initially it hurt, it was emotional for us because we know we worked so hard all year for everything and just to be able to see it,” Reese said last month. “But just going back to it, you never get that experience, so I'm able to go back, and I know my team probably definitely wants to go and my coaches support that, so I I'm going to do what's best.” For the team and if they want to go and we decide we're going to go, we're going to go.
“But in the beginning it was difficult to see but I think we will all come together and I think it will be good.”