UConn Women’s Basketball gift Obama a rocking chair
He loved it
Before an event celebrating the UConn Women’s Basketball Team’s 2016 NCAA Championship win, the team met up with President Obama to give him a gift, an engraved rocking chair.
President Obama (seated) with Geno Auriemma (Courtesy of The White House)
The wooden rocking chair was engraved with the following text:
UCONN
President Barack Obama
8 Years In Office (2009-2017)
6 UConn Women’s Basketball National Championships
2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
In response to this gesture, Obama remarked “Thank you so much! I’m going to treasure this. I really will, and it is clear that I am your rabbit’s foot,” alluding to the correlation between his presidency and the women’s championship record.
Before closing the curtain on the event Obama gave a final address to the national champions:
“You guys have been great role models for a lot of folks. To watch this program – and how it’s elevated women’s basketball and sport generally. Each year you can see it getting better and better, and that’s just great – it’s a great message for young ones…”