You can call me George (: Football Team at the White House

President honors Navy football

By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer
Published April 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush didn't even attempt to pronounce the name of the
Naval Academy's new head football coach.
Navy football was honored at the White House yesterday for capturing the
Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the fifth consecutive year. During his
remarks, President Bush recognized various dignitaries in attendance - such
as Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-St. Mary's, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter
and Vice. Adm. Jeffrey F. Fowler, academy superintendent.

But when it came time to introduce head coach Ken Niumatalolo, the president
hesitated.

"Coach ... just coach," said President Bush, drawing a hearty laugh from the
audience in the Rose Garden. "You can call me George, and I'll call you
Ken."
Mr. Niumatalolo is the first Polynesian to serve as head coach in NCAA
Division I-A ranks, and the first Samoan head coach at any level of college
football. Naturally, the 42-year-old Hawaiian yesterday became the first
Polynesian and Samoan football coach to be welcomed at the White House.

"It's a humbling experience. I'm still in awe," Mr. Niumatalolo said.

One of the most touching moments of the ceremony came after the formal
presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. President Bush thanked the
crowd for coming then turned around and began shaking hands with the Navy
football players and coaches. Mr. Niumatalolo motioned for his wife and
8-year-old son Ali'i to leave their front row seats and come meet the
president.

President Bush bent down to shake hands with Ali'i then casually put his arm
around the boy while talking with Barbara Niumatalolo. That brought tears to
the eyes of Ken Niumatalolo, who no doubt will treasure the picture that was
taken of the scene.

"Priceless. That's the kind of stuff that is priceless. I will never forget
it," he said.

Navy compiled an 8-5 record in 2007, beating Army and Air Force to retain
the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy and earning a berth to the Poinsettia Bowl
in San Diego. President Bush pointed out that Navy beat powerful Notre Dame
for the first time since 1963, snapping an NCAA-record 43-game losing streak
in the series.

"I'm not going to spend much time talking to the pope about it," dead-panned
the president, alluding to his upcoming visit with Roman Catholic pontiff
this week.

Navy's current run of winning the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy five
consecutive seasons is a school record. The midshipmen have won 11 straight
games against Army and Air Force in the process.

"This has become old habit for a lot of the players standing behind me.
Coming to the Rose Garden is as familiar as Bancroft Hall," President Bush
said.

All five of those trips to the White House have occurred during the two
terms of President Bush, who took great delight in highlighting some of the
Texas-born standouts on the team. For the second straight year, the
president made mention of fullback Adam Ballard, and for the second straight
year he referred to the 6-foot-1, 236-pounder as "Bullard."

Midshipman Ballard spoke briefly with President Bush and was impressed he
knew that athletic teams at Lewisville High School went by the nickname of
"Fighting Farmers." Midshipman Ballard, who was late in preparing his taxes,
pulled the W-2 form out of his pocket and asked the president for an
extension.

" 'W' and I get along pretty well," Midshipman Ballard joked afterward.
"Seriously, he strikes me as being real personable. He speaks off-the-cuff
and seems like a regular guy."

Curtis Bass, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound offensive lineman from Houston, sparked
laughter when he asked President Bush to grant members of the football team
a weekend of liberty. When the president approved the request, Midshipman
Bass pointed at Vice Adm. Fowler and asked the president to convey that
message to the academy superintendent.

Over the course of Navy's four previous visits to the White House, President
Bush had gotten to know former head coach Paul Johnson. Mr. Johnson left
Navy for Georgia Tech in December and did not attend yesterday's ceremony,
so the honor of speaking on behalf of the football team fell to Mr.
Niumatalolo.

"On behalf of the football team and the entire United States Naval Academy,
I want to say that we are happy to be here and it never gets old," he said.
"Even though the trip from Annapolis to the White House today was fast and
easy, it was a long journey for this team this season. Coming here means we
accomplished all of our goals."

Before filing into the Rose Garden, Mr. Niumatalolo told the team to savor
the moment and appreciate the honor of meeting the president of the United
States as a result of success on the football field.

"I want all of our younger guys to realize this is a special trip and that
it takes a ton of hard work and sacrifice to make this trip," Mr.
Niumatalolo said.

President Bush concluded his remarks by pointing out that Navy football
players soon will be commissioned officers participating in the current war
on terrorism.

"I want to thank every football player for agreeing to put on the uniform of
the finest military ever. You signed up after 9/11. You knew the stakes
involved in the war against extremists and radicals. You knew that your
country depended on you. And you didn't hesitate to wear the uniform," he
said. "I welcome you as stars on the football field, and I welcome you as
soon-to-be sailors and Marines who have a major responsibility to protect
the United States from harm and spread the great blessings of liberty so we
can have peace."