The University of South Carolina women’s team and the University of Connecticut men’s team were honored during separate ceremonies in the East Room.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Joe Biden celebrated the 2024 NCAA basketball champions at the White House on Tuesday. The University of South Carolina women’s team and the University of Connecticut men’s team were honored during separate ceremonies in the East Room.
The Gamecocks are just the fifth women’s program in NCAA history to go undefeated, finishing the season with a 38-0 record. South Carolina beat the Iowa Hawkeyes to secure head coach Dawn Staley’s third championship title since 2017.
“My hope is that this moment lands on you, as my team as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can come from unifying for a common goal,” Staley said during her remarks at the White House. “We stand here today because of that commitment, because of your willingness to put in work and sacrifice to achieve something greater than ourselves.”
President Biden joked that he picked South Carolina to win it all and acknowledged the incredible rise in popularity in women’s college basketball.
“The championship game was the most watched basketball game in five years peaking at over 24 million viewers,” Biden said. “I think it’s fair to say everyone, everyone watches women’s sports now.”
The Gamecocks were dominant despite the team losing all five starters from their 2023 team that was defeated in the Final Four.
The University of Connecticut men’s team returned to the White House for the second year in a row after winning back-to-back championships and its sixth men’s national title. Head coach Dan Hurley said they are already setting their sights on a three-peat.
“Our focus again is quickly turning to our pursuit of this third national championship in a row, potentially,” Hurley said. “Today is like an incredible moment for us to pause because basically, you just celebrate cool stuff like this and then just work really hard.”
President Biden echoed Hurley’s excitement and congratulated the team on a memorable season.
“Together, you capped off one of the most successful two year runs in the history of the sport,” he said.
The Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in the championship game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.