I think this topic was prematurely removed from the general basketball discussion. Being invited to the White House is an Honor bestowed upon athletic championship teams for decades by Presidents of Democratic, Republican, liberal , conservative centrist administrations. I believe you politely accept and graciously accept the honor for your school allowing the individual players to make their own decisions. This coaching staffs recruiting field is worldwide. You don’t want to create a situation that makes that process more difficult. For the record my wife disagrees with me wholeheartedly.
Accepting puts the onus on the dissenters. This potus is much too divisive to bring politics into the locker room. I have no doubt that the "cultural" element of our UAA will gleefully accept the invitation. I only hope it doesn't create a chasm in the team
No matter who the President is, I am going to not question folks who want to go to the White House as official guests. It is cool. I wish the red hats would have the courage to accept some may not want to make the trip. However, I expect the usual from them.
I’d think the staff goes to the team and says; “the school’s initial thought is to accept. It’s an honor and you’ve earned it. What do you guys think?” If the majority feels strongly against it, the school and staff has a decision to make.
Marco Rubio brought up the invitation on Friday during a cabinet meeting and Trump said absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind that every Gator basketball player and coach will attend the White House.
Meeting this President isn’t an honor. I have no ill will toward anyone who disagrees but I’d suggest staying home and spending some NIL money on your GF. Lol
Everything has to be political for some of you. My Dad shook hands with LBJ and he hated that SOB. The honor of going to the White House is enough. Swallow politics for a day. Go Gators.
Why not take the entire team on a field trip to the Smithsonian, monuments, Arlington Cemetery, etc. and let the individuals decide whether they want to visit the White House?
Vile. It says everything that this is even an issue. I wonder if the (pseudo) POTUS will tell (more) racist lies while they're there? Are immigrants still eating dogs? Do we have anyone from a place the racist felon will refer to as a "shithole country", as he expressed before? Sorry, but respect is assumed but also earned. The lying, sexual assaulting criminal in the White House has earned absolutely none, no matter how anyone cast their vote. Further, if everyone had had the integrity to explicitly state that his lies, crimes, lack of dignity and lack of respect for others precluded him from any sort of position demanding honesty and integrity from the very beginning....... then we wouldn't have him destroying the country right now. (For the second time) There have to be some standards for these things.
I have great respect for the office of the presidency independent of the elected occupant of the Oval Office. It has been customary for champions to receive recognition at the White House. I hope the team goes but will respect their individual choices. Go Gators!!!
As the president who's dismantling public education, withholding federal grants from universities, and instituting bans on free speech on campuses, I don't see one reason a university sports team should reward him with a photo op.
Well, he is empowering racists both in the government and at every turn possible. Maybe that will resonate strongly with the players, and they'll want to smile for a photo with him. Let him mooch some perceived approval through association, to lend credibility to his racist intentions.
You do not like the President. Meet with them and explain why. Sadly we have some losers on the left here that have made this forum hard to engage in. Hence this discussion… sigh
