President Bush welcomes Jayhawks to the White House

? President Bush welcomed the national champion Kansas University men’s basketball team to the White House in a brief ceremony Tuesday at the Rose Garden.

Speaking to a large group that included KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway, senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts, congressmen Jerry Moran and Dennis Moore and former senator Bob Dole, Bush gave nod to several KU traditions, such as Waving the Wheat and the Rock Chalk chant.

“I know you’ve got to be excited about winning an incredibly tough tournament,” he said. “Your fans are excited, and I’m excited to welcome you to the Rose Garden. It’s a big deal as far as I’m concerned to welcome you to the Rose Garden.”

The president offered a brief recap of the season, including an early victory over Yale, Bush’s alma mater.

“I don’t know how you did it, but you pulled it off,” he joked. “It was a great victory.”

He lauded coach Bill Self, calling him “one of the finest coaches in the land.”

And he called attention to the Jayhawks’ penchant for sharing the wealth.

“More than one player, Americans will remember the way you played as a team,” he said.