Courtesy: Duke Photography

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a reward for winning the 2005 NCAA Championship, the Duke women’s golf team traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday and met President George W. Bush at the White House. The Blue Devils were one of 14 teams who were honored at the 2005 Spring Sports Championship Day on the South Lawn at the White House.

Duke golfers Niloufar Aazam-Zanganeh, Liz Janangelo, Anna Grzebien and Jennifer Pandolfi as well as Head Coach Dan Brooks, Assistant Coach Brad Sparling, Athletic Director Joe Alleva and Assistant Sports Information Director Lindy Brown all met in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening.

The group had an early Tuesday morning planned as they headed out from the hotel at 7:15 a.m. for the White House. To get the full experience of the city, the Blue Devils took the Metro over to the White House and waited to go through security. Once into the White House the group waited in the East Reception Room until it was time for the tour to begin.

On the tour, the team was able to see the East Landing area, the House Proper, Red Room, Green Room and Blue Room before gathering in the East Room for a picture with President Bush. Once President Bush came in the room he visited with each of the five teams in the East Room and posed for a picture. He shook each person’s hand with the Duke group, congratulated them on winning their third title, talked about his golf game and his new love of mountain biking.

After meeting President Bush, the team walked outside to the South Lawn where there was a band playing for each team as they walked down the stairs. Once all the teams were gathered on the lawn, President Bush talked to them for a short while and he was then presented with a gift from a captain of each squad. Aazam-Zanganeh, who graduated in May and was making her second trip to the White House, presented President Bush with a Duke golf head cover.

While on the South Lawn, Congressman David E. Price of the 4th District, North Carolina introduced himself to the members of the team. He invited everyone over to his office and for a tour of the State Capital. The Blue Devils made a detour for lunch after the gathering at the White House and then headed to the Rayburn Building to meet with Congressman Price.

Once there the team headed to the capital where they posted with the Congressman for a picture in front and then members of his staff took everyone on a tour of the impressive building. After leaving the capital, the team split up and headed to the airport to travel back home.

It was a day everyone on the trip will remember forever.

Quotes:

Anna Grzebien

"It was a really nice experience and it was cool to be back with the team again as we haven’t seen each other since May. This isn’t something that many people get a chance to do in a lifetime and it was very special."

Head Coach Dan Brooks

"This couldn’t be more exciting. To win the NCAA Championship with all my friends and family out in Oregon was very special and to top it off with a trip see President Bush couldn’t be more special. I was able to take it all in a second time and the best thing this year was to see all the kids have so much fun today."