Coach Self, on behalf of K-State, I want to congratulate you and your excellent 2007-2008 University of Kansas men’s basketball team for winning the NCAA championship. Anybody who is involved in team sports realizes how difficult it is to win a national championship. But to win the NCAA national championship in men’s basketball is a monumental and extraordinary achievement. Coach, you did, quite simply, a brilliant job in coaching your team to the NCAA national championship. I know that you have always emphasized a team concept, and the KU men’s basketball team is a classic example of building a great team and winning the championship as a great team.

I also want to congratulate Chancellor Bob Hemenway. Since Bob became chancellor of KU, he and I have become very good friends. I know how important this win is for Bob and the whole university. Bob and I – and university CEO’s everywhere – understand how important sports are to our respective universities. We all know that when our basketball and football teams do well that our alums are incredibly happy and enthusiastic. I know that this national championship win over Memphis University is one of the most important basketball wins in the storied history of KU basketball. There have been very few shots that were as timely and important as Mario Chalmers’ last-second shot to force the game into overtime. KU fans will never, ever forget that last-second shot. Bob, I am very happy for you and the entire KU family.

Lew, I want to congratulate you as well. You are an outstanding athletic director. You have indicated to all of the coaches at KU that you expect a commitment to excellence. I am sure that you are one of the most capable and outstanding athletic directors in America today. Even though it was other athletic directors that hired Bill Self and Mark Mangino, you have been exceptionally supportive of not only those two KU athletic teams, but you have been a great backer of all the men’s and women’s teams in the KU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. I know that you presided over several championships in men’s and women’s basketball at the University of Connecticut, but I venture that the KU win over Memphis ranks right at the top for you – and rightly so.

The three of you make for an outstanding team at the University of Kansas. And I wish all of you the very best in the months and years ahead.