Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - White House Visit for NCAA Hockey Champions

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

We write to urge the White House to reconsider its recent decision to forego an official ceremony congratulating the Union College Dutchmen as the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey National Champions, and the Clarkson University Golden Knights as the 2014 NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey National Champions.

Union's journey to the 2014 Frozen Four was a historic one, ending in an overwhelming upset victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a traditional college hockey powerhouse, by a score of 7-4. The Dutchmen's storybook season and unlikely path to collegiate hockey's top prize is just one of many reasons for the White House to avoid breaking with tradition and honor coach Rick Bennett and his team, as it has done with previous champions in years past, including Yale, Boston College, and Minnesota.

To win the 2014 National Championship, Clarkson University defeated the University of Minnesota 5--4 in the national championship game, in the process becoming the fourth school to have won a National Collegiate championship. This championship was the first by a team not from theWestern Collegiate Hockey Association as well as the first by a team from the Eastern United States.

The opportunity to meet the President of the United States in a ceremony that honors our nation's student athletes who reach the pinnacle of their sport is a time honored tradition. We are joined by Union College President, Stephen Ainlay and Clarkson University President Tony Collins, in respectfully asking you to bestow this honor on the 2014 Union College men's and Clarkson University women's hockey teams, and we thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer Kirsten E. Gillibrand Paul D. Tonko

United States Senator United States Senator Member of Congress

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