Published: July 24, 2024
NCAA National Championship Teams Visit the White House
Three University of Tampa sports teams visited Washington, D.C., this week to participate in NCAA Sports Day.
Mary Kate Person ’26 takes a selfie in front of the White House. Photo courtesy of Mike Gallagher
Men’s swimming, women’s lacrosse and the baseball team were among the 90 teams from colleges and universities nationwide invited to celebrate their respective NCAA national championships at the White House.
Two Spartans, swimmer Caleb Brandon ’24 and lacrosse player Mary Kate Person ’26, had an additional honor, as they were selected to be on stage during the ceremony where Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the student-athletes.
It was the first speech from Harris since she announced her presidential run.
“It was a massive shock walking out, seeing all the news teams and all the photographers,” Brandon said. “You realize as you're walking down the stairs overlooking the crowd, that, like, ‘Wow! This is a legitimate historical moment,” he said.
The awe followed an almost missed chance to participate, he said, since he hadn’t been expecting the opportunity, and he hadn’t been checking his e-mail. Then, an hour before the ceremony, he was stopped by “a man with a binder” who told him his coach, Jimi Kiner ’01, had nominated him to be a part of it.
He rushed to get ready, and he said there was some excitement and confusion about what the student-athletes were supposed to do. But they got lined up and marched out in time.
“It was just the coolest thing,” Person said.
“Like, regardless of politics, or where anybody falls on the political spectrum or who’s in office, it’s an amazing experience, regardless,” Brandon said.
Despite being in the spotlight, Person said she didn’t feel nervous. Her team had her back.
“It’s hard to get nervous when your entire support system is in the place that you’re getting nervous in,” she said.
Brandon and Person both expressed gratitude for their teams and the culture they have built together.
“This is a team thing,” Brandon said. “I would have not gotten the opportunity to stand on stage if we did not have these 11 guys that grind it hard.”
Brandon is pursuing a graduate degree in exercise, physiology and nutrition and will swim again for the Spartans this season. He said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the team repeats as champs and gets to visit the White House again next year.
Person feels the same.
“This is just the beginning,” Person said, “It’s the ‘d-word.’ We’re creating a dynasty.”
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