On Monday, 20 Division I national championship teams received the thrill of a lifetime, as President George W. Bush met with them at the White House.

Whether you???re a Republican, Democrat or just don???t care, you have to admit that meeting the President of the United States is beyond cool. I can???t even imagine how excited the student-athletes were to tour the White House, stand on the most famous lawn in the country and pose for pictures with the leader of the free world.

There aren???t too many free minutes in President Bush??? schedule, so the fact that he made time to meet with that many student-athletes is actually amazing. Some might argue that the hour could have been better spent on other things, but I disagree. Giving young folks this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has a direct benefit on our country???s future. Educational and athletic excellence is important and this celebration reiterates that point.

In the past, only high-profile Division I teams were invited to the White House, and it???s nice that the Florida men???s basketball team shared the stage with the Vanderbilt bowlers and the Penn State fencing programs this time around. A national champion is a national champion.

Granted, it???s impossible for all 88 NCAA national champions to spend time at the White House ??? it???s not realistic given the president???s schedule and likely not even feasible from a logistical and security standpoint. In the future, however, I would like to see Division II and III national champions honored in the nation???s capital. Those student-athletes have every right to the same experiences as their Division I counterparts.

Perhaps a divisional rotation, or a sampling of programs from each division, would allow for a more diverse group to attend the ceremony. We should do everything we can to provide more kids with this opportunity, because there???s no question it???s something none of them will ever forget.

Photo taken by Marcia Stubbeman, NCAA