Coach, team meet Bush

After 41 years of leading IU to six national championships, retired men's soccer coach Jerry Yeagley lead his Hoosiers for the first time to Washington, D.C., for a championship reception with President Bush.\nThe visit to Washington, D.C., included a tour of the Capitol, and an alumni reception at the National Press Club. A tour of the White House followed a speech from the president on the south lawn. \n"Coach Yeagley, we're proud of you, we're proud of the team you've brought here, we're proud of your dedication to athletics," Bush said during the White House reception. "I want to thank you for working so hard to teach the young men of your teams the difference between right and wrong and how to play as a team. Today we honor your coaching career at the same time we honor the great Indiana Hoosier soccer team."\nPrior to the reception on the south lawn, the Hoosiers were initially greeted by the president in the blue room where Yeagley expressed his upmost gratitude and respect for President Bush.\n"I told him I was so honored and appreciative of him having our team here," Yeagley said. "He shook my hand, offered his congratulation on six championships and just said a lot of positive things. He made me feel very proud."\nThe presentation on the south lawn concluded with the Hoosiers presenting Bush with the first six-star soccer jersey, each star representing a national championship. \nThe trip to Washington was part of champions day and included other collegiate national champions from this year including footballs' co-champions Louisiana State and Southern California and women soccer's North Carolina among others. \n"He pronounced my name perfectly, like he knew who I was," Yeagley said. "Because of my retirement and breaking the coaching wins record he gave us some special attention along those lines. The team was honored to be there."\nEven after six titles, this was Yeagley's first visit to champions day and left Washington, D.C., with even more respect and admiration for a man he believed to be a bit shorter in person.\n"He always has so much on his plate, but he was so well prepared," Yeagley said. "It speaks volumes for not only him but for the people who prepare him." \nIn addition to the White House, the Hoosiers received a tour of the Capitol and were welcomed by Indiana senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar. \nFor some players, like senior Vijay Dias, the trip to Washington, D.C., was a first and felt the tour of the White House and hearing the president speak so highly of the team was by far the highlight of the trip. \n"Obviously, we all have huge respect for coach and obviously a lot of respect for the man who leads our country," Dias said. "When you hear someone that powerful saying things we've heard all along about our coach, it just shows again that coach is a great coach and a great man."\nRep. Baron Hill, D-Bloomington, along with some other government associates also spoke to the Hoosiers before they returned home the same day. \n"Everything was perfect. I was so proud of our team because they looked so sharp," Yeagley said. "They have a great representation for our University and I was very proud of that. You can tell they were honored"