The Richmond Times-Dispatchreports that the NCAA 2018-2019 Men’s Basketball National Champions, the University of Virginia Cavaliers, have a rejected an invitation from President Donald J. Trump to attend a special ceremony at the White House honoring the victors for their hard-fought season.
“We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House,” UVA coach Tony Bennett said in a statement the school released Friday evening. “With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation.”
While it is true that many players are heading for the NBA draft and other career moves, NCAA champions rejecting President Trump’s offer have become somewhat of a trend during his administration. The 2017 championship team, the University of North Carolina, claimed they had scheduling conflicts. Last year’s winning team, Vilanova University, also rejected the White House’s invitation.
However, given the glibness of UVA sophomore De’Andre Hunter via Twitter, it seems politics may have more to do with these declinations than anything else. Hunter tweeted, “No Thanks Trump,” shortly after UVA announced they would not be going to the White House.
( Billy’s thoughts – It used to be no matter what your politics was if your team won a title it was a honor to be invited by the President of whichever party was in office to the White House for some reason that has been ending under Trump. Perhaps instead of inviting the teams they should start inviting fans. I am sure many like myself would love a chance visit the President and the White House.
