Michigan State University Athletics
Clinton Congratulates Michigan State
1/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2001
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
Associated Press Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Before his speech at Michigan State University Tuesday, President Clinton met with members of the Spartan men's basketball team and congratulated them on their NCAA championship.
The team, including former star point guard Mateen Cleaves, also joined Clinton briefly onstage at the Breslin Center. Before thousands of cheering fans, Cleaves gave the president a No. 1 Spartan jersey that read "Clinton" on the back.
Clinton joked that he would spark some debate at the White House by wearing the jersey in front of his daughter. Chelsea Clinton attends Stanford University, whose men's basketball team is now ranked No. 1. The Spartans were ranked No. 3 after losing Sunday to Indiana.
Clinton said the Spartans won the championship with perseverance.
"One of the things I admire about this team is that it has no quit in it," he said. "The only thing that's fatal is quitting."
He also said that bickering political parties in Washington could learn something from the Spartans' teamwork.
"I don't care how big of a star you are. If the other four walk off the floor, you're whipped," Clinton said, eliciting a nod from Cleaves.
Clinton usually holds receptions for national championship teams at the White House. But because he had to be in the Mideast after the NCAA tournament ended, the Spartans never took that trip.
Coach Tom Izzo said it was better to have Clinton come to the Breslin Center.
"This way, more people get to share it with us, and that's more special," Izzo said. "As I told our players, only if you do something really good do you get to sit down with the president."
Cleaves, a Flint native who now plays for the Detroit Pistons, described the meeting as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Just shaking his hand, being able to be around him - I feel grateful for the opportunity," Cleaves said. "He told us how proud he was of us. We heard it from everyone, but to hear it from the president adds a little oomph to it."
Asked if he votes Democratic, Cleaves just flashed his trademark grin.
"I don't want to get into all that," he said with a laugh.
