Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks
November 17 was Collegiate National Champions Day, and Penn State women’s rugby was among the 18 teams that traveled to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the White House. The university received the invitation from the White House Social Office two weeks ago, and all of the members from the 2016-17 DI Elite championship squad were included. The short notice, however, meant a handful of graduates were unable to attend.
“As a team, we were grateful to have the opportunity to be recognized for not only our 16/17 national championship but also the success of our program over the last 25 years,” Penn State backs captain Tess Feury explained. “This team has worked so hard for generations to be where we are today, and we were honored to celebrate in the same way other national champions across many sports have in years past.”
The rugby team and members of the wrestling team, also being honored, departed State College, Pa., early Friday morning. The players and staff arrived early enough to tour public areas of the White House and peer into famed spaces like the Red Room, and then mingled with other national championship teams while a jazz band played each school’s fight song.
Feury explained that each team had a designated spot in the White House, Rose Garden or South Lawn where they waited for their meeting and photo op with the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Penn State was in the Rose Garden just outside the Oval Office.
“Our interaction with the president was brief but something I will never forget,” Feury enthused. “He shook our hands, asked us about our season and congratulated us on our success. After chatting and taking some photos he invited us in to see the Oval Office, which was a big surprise, not only to us but I think his staff as well!”
“We represented our team, Penn State and the rugby community on this trip, and it was a privilege to have our hard work and accomplishments recognized with many other schools and teams on a national stage,” Feury concluded. “Overall, it was a great trip and an experience I think no one on the team will forget!”
The following teams attended Collegiate National Champions day at the White House:
Arizona State women’s triathlon
Florida men’s baseball
Maryland men’s lacrosse
Maryland women’s lacrosse
McKendree women’s bowling
Ohio State men’s volleyball
Oklahoma men’s golf
Oklahoma men’s gymnastics
Oklahoma women’s gymnastics
Oklahoma women’s softball
Penn State men’s wrestling
Penn State women’s rugby
Texas A&M men’s indoor track and field
Texas A&M women’s equestrian
Utah skiing
Virginia men’s tennis
Washington women’s rowing
West Virginia (co-ed) rifle