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Bennett: Virginia would decline White House invite

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http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26613084/virginia-decline-white-house-invite
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    Myron MedcalfESPN Staff Writer

Virginia will not accept an invitation to the White House to commemorate its run to the national title, coach Tony Bennett said in a statement on Friday.

Bennett said logistics, not politics, would preclude Virginia from accepting an invitation.

Four Virginia players have declared for the NBA draft.

It's unclear if President Trump has formally extended an invitation to the program.

"We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House," Bennett said in the statement. "With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation."

The Cavs won their first national championship in men's basketball with an 85-77 victory over Texas Tech in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Since that win, stars Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter have all entered the NBA draft, hired agents and announced their intentions to remain in the draft. Hunter and Jerome are both projected first-round picks in ESPN's most recent mock draft.

Mamadi Diakite has also entered the draft after averaging 7.4 PPG this season. He can retain his collegiate eligibility if he withdraws by the May 29 deadline.

Under President Trump, traditional invites to the White House following championship runs have become polarizing events.

Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly did not join his teammates at the White House after their run to the Stanley Cup last season. In 2017, Dawn Staley announced that her team would not accept an invitation to the White House after South Carolina's run to the women's basketball national title.
 
Nobody ever really cared much about White House invites other than the teams and having a ten second photo op. They’ve turned into political snowflake attention whore moments and it started before Trump.
 
Anyone know if those same ‘scheduling’ conflicts existed with other presidents?Serious question. What has the track record for ncaa tournament teams been before trump? Is there anything about the new draft process that makes it more difficult than before to get most of the team together?
 
Virginia declines invitation to attend White House after title
By Rob DausterApr 26, 2019, 5:46 PM EDT

Virginia put out a press release at 5:35 p.m. on the Friday evening of the NFL Draft announcing that they will “respectfully decline” to accept an invite to visit the White House after winning the 2019 national title.

“We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House,” read a statement from head coach Tony Bennett. “With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation.”

Four players from that Virginia team — De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy and Mamadi Diakite — have declared for the NBA draft since the season ended, and all but Diakite have released statements saying that they are going to remain in the draft.

Last year’s Villanova team did not attend the White House after winning the 2018 national title, but Jay Wright said that his team was not invited. The 2017 North Carolina team that won the title did not visit the White House, but they were invited.

Baylor’s women’s team, who won the 2019 national title, accepted an invitation to visit the White House.

https://collegebasketball.nbcsports...invitation-to-attend-white-house-after-title/
 
ivyhillparkk1963 said:
this is complete and utter B.S. respect the office!!! don't care if it's Trump, Obama or George Washington for Pete's sake ! respect the office
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He doesn't respect the office or others , he more than any previous CiC makes it about himself rather than the achievers. Christ he made the 2nd pick in the NFL the spotlight, because Bosa likes him, then closes the tweet with a mAga hash tag. He didn't even mention the 1st pick
 
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ivyhillparkk1963 said:
this is complete and utter B.S. respect the office!!! don't care if it's Trump, Obama or George Washington for Pete's sake ! respect the office
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What does respect the office mean anyway? A great thing about this country is that we have the freedom to disrespect and criticize the leader.
 
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pokeyshu said:
He doesn't respect the office or others , he more than any previous CiC makes it about himself rather than the achievers. Christ he made the 2nd pick in the NFL the spotlight, because Bosa likes him, then closes the tweet with a mAga hash tag. He didn't even mention the 1st pick
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I think it was more trump showing support for bosa because bosa was forced to delete tweets out of fear of being publicly shamed. It was not meant to disrespect kyler Murray in any regard and anyone who says otherwise is just plain wrong
 
Seems like the losing side in the last two Presidential elections can't accept the reality of the winning candidates. First, it was Obama is not an American citizen because he didn't have a birth certificate, and now just pick a reason from many as to why not to support Trump. Partisan politics at its worst.
 
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batts said:
Seems like the losing side in the last two Presidential elections can't accept the reality of the winning candidates. First, it was Obama is not an American citizen because he didn't have a birth certificate, and now just pick a reason from many as to why not to support Trump. Partisan politics at its worst.
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Mic drop on a Monday!
 
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batts said:
Seems like the losing side in the last two Presidential elections can't accept the reality of the winning candidates. First, it was Obama is not an American citizen because he didn't have a birth certificate, and now just pick a reason from many as to why not to support Trump. Partisan politics at its worst.
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It is the same in that both sides are angry about the results. But thinking he wasn't an American citizen is due to mostly racism and false lies partly perpetuated by Donald.

Thinking Donald is a POS is due to years of video, radio, tweets, interviews, etc from the man himself.

As a person raised as a republican and has voted republican and will probably vote republican in some future elections; the choice of these teams to not attend the white house is not on the difference of opinion on tax brackets or the 2nd amendment or other issues that divide the party but rather that Trump is the way he is. We all know that if say Kasich was president we wouldn't be talking about this right now.

More specifically to UVA, these are kids that attend college in Charlotesville, Virginia. They had a girl ran over by a car, men beaten by poles from "very fine people" that invaded their college town to spread hate and I personally understand not wanting to be in the same room as Donald after his response to something that hit very close to home for some of those kids.
 
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HallBall10 said:
More specifically to UVA, these are kids that attend college in Charlotesville, Virginia. They had a girl ran over by a car, men beaten by poles from "very fine people" that invaded their college town to spread hate and I personally understand not wanting to be in the same room as Donald after his response to something that hit very close to home for some of those kids.
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This. Regardless of your party affiliation. This is just obvious.

It could also have something to do with Trump’s statements regarding countries of darker ethnic backgrounds. Just maybe....
 
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hallstorm said:
This. Regardless of your party affiliation. This is just obvious.

It could also have something to do with Trump’s statements regarding countries of darker ethnic backgrounds. Just maybe....
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Take the time to learn what Trump actually said. He was not supporting antifa or white racists. He was talkin about the removal of a Confederate generals monument. and the people who had varying opinions on that subject. Good people on both sides with different opinions, not antifa fascists or white supremacists, both of whom were present that day, unfortunately . Naturally the mainstream media took the time to again twist the truth.

As far as countries with people of color, I have visited more than 80 countries in my lifetime, most recently Guatamala. Let me tell you, irrespective of the skin color of ,residents, countries like that are s**t holes.
If you disagree, try living in the Central African Republic
 
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batts said:
Seems like the losing side in the last two Presidential elections can't accept the reality of the winning candidates. First, it was Obama is not an American citizen because he didn't have a birth certificate, and now just pick a reason from many as to why not to support Trump. Partisan politics at its worst.
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But where is the line where its not about partisanship though?

Do you really think people would decline an invite from president Rubio? Kasich? Etc... Or maybe there is something different with Trump?
 
shuvrp said:
What does respect the office mean anyway? A great thing about this country is that we have the freedom to disrespect and criticize the leader.
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It means to put differences aside and treat it with reverence and respect, especially when it comes to things that aren't political such as celebrating national titles. You can criticize the person who occupies the office and still respect it. It's not the same thing.

I didn't agree with much of anything George W. Bush did while POTUS. If I was on a championship team during his administration, I'd have been honored to meet him and share the moment with him. The same would be true of Donald Trump. While I don't agree with everything he does, I would be flattered to be invited to meet the president as a member of a championship team.
 
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shu09 said:
It means to put differences aside and treat it with reverence and respect, especially when it comes to things that aren't political such as celebrating national titles. You can criticize the person who occupies the office and still respect it. It's not the same thing.

I didn't agree with much of anything George W. Bush did while POTUS. If I was on a championship team during his administration, I'd have been honored to meet him and share the moment with him. The same would be true of Donald Trump. While I don't agree with everything he does, I would be flattered to be invited to meet the president as a member of a championship team.
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But is there a scenario for you where you wouldn't accept an invitation?

Overall I agree with you in respecting the office even though I may disagree on policy. I would have been happy for an opportunity to meet Bush even though I didnt vote for him.

There is a line for me and Trump is on the other side of it as someome who I believe is truly unfit for the office... Declining an invite is a small symbol of protest against his behavior.
 
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Merge said:
But is there a scenario for you where you wouldn't accept an invitation?

Overall I agree with you in respecting the office even though I may disagree on policy. I would have been happy for an opportunity to meet Bush even though I didnt vote for him.

There is a line for me and Trump is on the other side of it as someome who I believe is truly unfit for the office... Declining an invite is a small symbol of protest against his behavior.
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Creating your line for convenience. In fact, if you have an issue with his behavior, what better way to address it with him directly. I’m with 09; respect the office. The public spoke in 2016 and we should respect their voice as well. HRC is morally corrupt, but I would accept an invite if she was elected.
 
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Belluno said:
Take the time to learn what Trump actually said. He was not supporting antifa or white racists. He was talkin about the removal of a Confederate generals monument. and the people who had varying opinions on that subject. Good people on both sides with different opinions, not antifa fascists or white supremacists, both of whom were present that day, unfortunately . Naturally the mainstream media took the time to again twist the truth.
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"Naturally the mainstream media took the time to again twist the truth."

Biden opened his campaign with the falsehood that you so eloquently pointed out.
 
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Merge said:
Overall I agree with you in respecting the office even though I may disagree on policy.

There is a line for me and Trump is on the other side of it as someome who I believe is truly unfit for the office.
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You can't have it both ways.

I served under superior officers who I knew were unfit. I still respected their rank and command.

Your belief of unfit is just that. It's your belief. The office is much greater than your belief.
 
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HALL85 said:
Creating your line for convenience. In fact, if you have an issue with his behavior, what better way to address it with him directly. I’m with 09; respect the office. The public spoke in 2016 and we should respect their voice as well. HRC is morally corrupt, but I would accept an invite if she was elected.
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It's not out of convenience. It is out of the fact that there should be a line and there probably is one for all of us.

We can disagree with where it is, but I have mine and Trump is on the other side of it.
 
Pirata said:
You can't have it both ways.

I served under superior officers who I knew were unfit. I still respected their rank and command.

Your belief of unfit is just that. It's your belief. The office is much greater than your belief.
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I mean, he isn't my boss.
If I were in the military, I would go out of duty but we are talking about athletes who are free to protest based on their beliefs.

Holding the office in esteem is exactly why I feel a small gesture of protest would be appropriate.
 
Merge said:
It's not out of convenience. It is out of the fact that there should be a line and there probably is one for all of us.

We can disagree with where it is, but I have mine and Trump is on the other side of it.
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Who is saying you can't have a line, but why use it to decline an invitation from the office. If you really care about what you think he has done to the office, what better way to address it directly with him?
 
HALL85 said:
Who is saying you can't have a line, but why use it to decline an invitation from the office. If you really care about what you think he has done to the office, what better way to address it directly with him?
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Because that would be attacked as well by anyone who did that and I don't that being an effective use of time. Had he displayed behavior worthy of that discussion then I would support trying to have it, but I do not believe he has.
 
Merge said:
Because that would be attacked as well by anyone who did that and I don't that being an effective use of time. Had he displayed behavior worthy of that discussion then I would support trying to have it, but I do not believe he has.
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Excuses, excuses....
 
Merge said:
Reasons. Not excuses.
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Nope, not in my book. But we’re different. IMO, it’s a matter of respect for the office and standing up for what you believe whether you think it will have an impact or not.
 
HALL85 said:
Nope, not in my book. But we’re different. IMO, it’s a matter of respect for the office and standing up for what you believe whether you think it will have an impact or not.
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Why can't standing up for what I believe in be a protest of attendance?
 
Donald Trump is the President of the United States. If by some miracle I was granted a meeting, I would attend.

If someone wants to protest the President by not attending - I say fine by me.

It's a little trickier in a team setting where you may have a split opinion. I would abide by the majority.
 
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