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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13482
Folder ID Number:
13482-006
Folder Title:
Michigan Wolverines, 4/12/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
25
6
2
2
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 12, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO MICHIGAN BASKETBALL TEAM,
1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS
The Rose Garden
11:05 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Where's Bo? Is your Athletic Director
here?
COACH FISHER: Bo's not here. We have our Associate
Athletic Director.
THE PRESIDENT: All right. Please, be seated. My
briefing paper was wrong. (Laughter.) Glad to see you back.
Well, President Duderstadt and Coach Fisher and all you
Wolverine players and staff, and members of the Michigan
congressional delegation, and players and coaches of the Dunbar,
Highpoint, and Archbishop Carroll High School teams; above all,
friends, welcome to the White House. Let me recall, first, that this
was once the home of a Michigan alumnus -- the home court, you might
say. (Laughter.) And I know that this morning, that Gerald Ford
would join me in saying that Michigan basketball, like America, is
truly number one.
And secondly, let me welcome you here to 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue. For nearly 200 years, this has been America's
house. And in 1989, you have become America's sports heroes.
And, you know, it was another sports hero, Yogi Berra --
I love to quote Yogi -- who once said at a state dinner right here in
this building, "How could you get a conversation started in there?
Everybody was talking too much." (Laughter.) Well, today America is
talking. And they're talking about you all and your incredible
championship. And they're calling it Wolverine Wonder. or the
Michigan Miracle. Or basketball's Impossible Dream.
And the 1989 Wolverines indeed had it all -- depth and
quickness, shooting and intelligence, and that strength of character
which embodies a champion.
For example, there's Terry Mills and Loy Vaught and Mark
Hughes, who combined for 27 points in that great semifinal game
against Illinois. Or Sean Higgins, who scored the winning basket
against the Fighting Illini, and yes, Bo Schembechler, you did get
Illinois and I wish you here to join us today. (Laughter.)
- 2 -
And finally, there's Steve Fisher -- new permanent coach
at Michigan. (Applause.) Steve, compared with you, Walter Mitty was
a hum-drum existence -- (laughter) -- and your success even Ripley
would disbelieve. But in three amazing weeks, you became the first
rookie coach to win a national basketball championship. And you
helped Michigan become the first school to win the Rose Bowl and NCAA
basketball title in the same year. And last Monday night, surrounded
by your wife and two boys, you showed that nice guys can finish
first.
And Thursday night, Steve and his wife were here walking
the dog at the White House -- (laughter) -- and he did a good job on
that. (Laughter.) So we're glad you're back.
And eight weeks ago, following a last-second loss to
Indiana -- forgive me -- Dan Quayle insisted that I bring that one up
-- (laughter.)
VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE: Yes, you guys remember that.
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: -- Glen Rice said that every Michigan
player was "going on a mission.' Well, last week, in Steve Fisher's
words, that mission reached basketball's "Promised Land."
And today, schools from Syracuse to North Carolina to
UCLA salute your story. And today, "Hail to the Victors" is number
one basketball hit parade song. Mission Impossible? Yours has been
a Mission Accomplished.
And thanks for coming here. God bless you all and God
bless the United States.
And now, Rumeal, I have a prop for you -- a basketball,
and where is it? Here. All right. Go for it. Right here, we've
got a little demonstration. (Laughter.) You want to fire one off.
Oh, (Laughter.) wait a minute, hold off. I'm getting something, don't go away.
That pressure must have been something.
COACH FISHER: Mr. President, it's with great pride that
our basketball staff, coaches and administrators present you with a
Michigan Number One jersey to join us and these high school athletes
to let you know how proud we are to be here. And we are all number
one today alongslide you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Steve.
END
11:10 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 12, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO MICHIGAN BASKETBALL TEAM,
1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS
The Rose Garden
11:05 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Where's Bo? Is your Athletic Director
here?
COACH FISHER: Bo's not here. We have our Associate
Athletic Director.
THE PRESIDENT: All right. Please, be seated. My
briefing paper was wrong. (Laughter.) Glad to see you back.
Well, President Duderstadt and Coach Fisher and all you
Wolverine players and staff, and members of the Michigan
congressional delegation, and players and coaches of the Dunbar,
Highpoint, and Archbishop Carroll High School teams; above all,
friends, welcome to the White House. Let me recall, first, that this
was once the home of a Michigan alumnus -- the home court, you might
say. (Laughter.) And I know that this morning, that Gerald Ford
would join me in saying that Michigan basketball, like America, is
truly number one.
And secondly, let me welcome you here to 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue. For nearly 200 years, this has been America's
house. And in 1989, you have become America's sports heroes.
And, you know, it was another sports hero, Yogi Berra --
I love to quote Yogi -- who once said at a state dinner right here in
this building, "How could you get a conversation started in there?
Everybody was talking too much." (Laughter.) Well, today America is
talking. And they're talking about you all and your incredible
championship. And they're calling it Wolverine Wonder. or the
Michigan Miracle. or basketball's Impossible Dream.
And the 1989 Wolverines indeed had it all -- depth and
quickness, shooting and intelligence, and that strength of character
which embodies a champion.
For example, there's Terry Mills and Loy Vaught and Mark
Hughes, who combined for 27 points in that great semifinal game
against Illinois. or Sean Higgins, who scored the winning basket
against the Fighting Illini, and yes, Bo Schembechler, you did get
Illinois and I wish you here to join us today. (Laughter.)
- 2 -
And finally, there's Steve Fisher -- new permanent coach
at Michigan. (Applause.) Steve, compared with you, Walter Mitty was
a hum-drum existence -- (laughter) -- and your success even Ripley
would disbelieve. But in three amazing weeks, you became the first
rookie coach to win a national basketball championship. And you
helped Michigan become the first school to win the Rose Bowl and NCAA
basketball title in the same year. And last Monday night, surrounded
by your wife and two boys, you showed that nice guys can finish
first.
And Thursday night, Steve and his wife were here walking
the dog at the White House -- (laughter) -- and he did a good job on
that. (Laughter.) So we're glad you're back.
And eight weeks ago, following a last-second loss to
Indiana -- forgive me -- Dan Quayle insisted that I bring that one up
-- (laughter.)
VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE: Yes, you guys remember that.
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: -- Glen Rice said that every Michigan
player was "going on a mission." Well, last week, in Steve Fisher's
words, that mission reached basketball's "Promised Land."
And today, schools from Syracuse to North Carolina to
UCLA salute your story. And today, "Hail to the Victors" is number
one basketball hit parade song. Mission Impossible? Yours has been
a Mission Accomplished.
And thanks for coming here. God bless you all and God
bless the United States.
And now, Rumeal, I have a prop for you -- a basketball,
and where is it? Here. All right. Go for it. Right here, we've
got a little demonstration. (Laughter.) You want to fire one off.
Oh, wait a minute, hold off. I'm getting something, don't go away.
(Laughter.)
That pressure must have been something.
COACH FISHER: Mr. President, it's with great pride that
our basketball staff, coaches and administrators present you with a
Michigan Number One jersey to join us and these high school athletes
to let you know how proud we are to be here. And we are all number
one today alongslide you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Steve.
END
11:10 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 11, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
GD
THROUGH: CHRISS WINSTON cw
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE
PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
CURT SMITH
SPEECHWRITER
SUBJECT: APRIL 12 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VISIT
I. SUMMARY
Tomorrow, Michigan's basketball team will visit the White
House. The enclosed remarks focus on its storybook rise to
the NCAA title. In particular, they discuss coach Steve
Fisher and his starting five.
II. DISCUSSION
At speech's end, you are scheduled to give a basketball to
Michigan's Rumeal Robinson, who will then shoot at a net
erected by advance. The remarks reflect that event.
Players Members of and the coaches High Dunbar, Point, Archbishop High and school Carroll reams. (Smith/Blessey) April friends. 11,
Above all,
1989
Draft Three
MICH
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WED., APRIL 12, 1989
11:00 A.M.
President Duderstadt [DU-der-stat], Coach Fisher, Wolverine
Members of u michigan
Players and Staff Friends.
Let me recall, first, that this was once the home court of a
Michigan alumnus. Well, this morning, I know that Gerald Ford
would join me in saying that Michigan basketball, like America,
is truly Number One!
Second, let me welcome you to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. For
nearly 200 years, this has been America's House. Well, in 1989,
you have become America's Sports Heroes.
X
You know, it was another sports hero, Yogi Berra, who once
said of a State dinner at the White House: "How could you get a
conversation started in there? Everybody was talking too much. 11
My friends, today much of America is talking. They are
talking about you, and your incredible championship. They're
calling it Wolverine Wonder. or the Michigan Miracle. Or
basketball's Impossible Dream.
The 1989 Wolverines indeed had it all -- depth and
quickness, shooting and intelligence, and that strength of
character which embodies a champion.
For example, there's Terry Mills and Loy Vaught and Mark
Hughes, who combined for 27 points in that great semifinal game
against Illinois. or Sean (SHAWN) Higgins, who scored the
winning basket against the Fighting Illini
and, yes, Bo
Schembechler, you did get Illinois!
Then, there's Rumeal (Rue-MEAL) Robinson, of whom Sports
Illustrated said
and Jerry Ford would love this
"he
looks and plays like a fullback." Against Seton Hall, your two
free throws with three seconds left won Michigan's first-ever
national basketball championship.
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Glen Rice. This year, he
became the Big Ten all-time leading scorer and the NCAA
tournament's Most Valuable Player. And, Glen, in the tourney's
six games, you scored 184 points to break the old record held by
a guy who now works just down the road from here
yes,
Princeton's Bill Bradley.
Finally, there's Steve Fisher
Michigan's new permanent
coach. Steve, compared with you, Walter Mitty's was a hum-drum
existence. Of your success, even Ripley would disbelieve.
In three amazing weeks, you became the first rookie coach to
win a national basketball championship. You helped Michigan
become the first school to win the Rose Bowl and NCAA basketball
title in the same year. And last Monday night, surrounded by
your wife and two boys, you showed that Nice Guys Can Finish
whiellase
First. And Last Thursday might you
helped me wall the dog here at the CY Am
Six weeks ago, following a last-second loss to Indiana
forgive me, but Vice-President Quayle insisted I mention that!
Glen Rice said that every Michigan player was "going on a
mission." Well, last week, in Steve Fisher's words, that mission
reached basketball's "Promised Land."
Today, schools from Syracuse to North Carolina to UCLA
salute your story. And, today, "Hail to the Victors" is No. 1 on
basketball's hit parade. Mission Impossible? My friends, yours
has been a Mission Accomplished.
Thank you for coming here, God bless you, and God bless
America. And now, Rumeal, here's a basketball
there's the
net
and as we used to say at Yale, it's time for that old
college try!
# # # #
Document No. 025066
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
04/11/89 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS
(04/11 draft 3)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
P
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
R
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
R
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
à
PINKERTON
CICCONI
1
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
F
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W, Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 11, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH: CHRISS WINSTON cw
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE
PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
CURT SMITH
SPEECHWRITER
SUBJECT: APRIL 12 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WOLVERINES VISIT
I. SUMMARY
Tomorrow, Michigan's basketball team will visit the White
House. The enclosed remarks focus on its storybook rise to
the NCAA title. In particular, they discuss coach Steve
Fisher and his starting five.
II. DISCUSSION
At speech's end, you are scheduled to give a basketball to
Michigan's Rumeal Robinson, who will then shoot at a net
erected by advance. The remarks reflect that event.
(Smith/Blessey)
April 11, 1989
Draft Three
MICH
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WED., APRIL 12, 1989
11:00 A.M.
President Duderstadt [DU-der-stat], Coach Fisher, Wolverine
Players and Staff, Friends.
Let me recall, first, that this was once the home court of a
Michigan alumnus. Well, this morning, I know that Gerald Ford
would join me in saying that Michigan basketball, like America,
is truly Number One!
Second, let me welcome you to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, For
nearly 200 years, this has been America's House. Well, in 1989,
you have become America's Heroes.
You know, it was another sports hero, Yogi Berra, who once
said of a State dinner at the White House: "How could you get a
conversation started in there? Everybody was talking too much."
My friends, today much of America is talking. They are
talking about you, and your incredible championship. They're
calling it Wolverine Wonder. Or the Michigan Miracle. or
basketball's Impossible Dream.
The 1989 Wolverines indeed had it all -- depth and
quickness, shooting and intelligence, and that strength of
character which embodies a champion.
For example, there's Terry Mills and Loy Vaught and Mark
Hughes, who combined for 27 points in that great semifinal game
against Illinois. Or Sean (SHAWN) Higgins, who scored the
winning basket against the Fighting Illini
and, yes, Bo
Schembechler, you did get Illinois!
Then, there's Rumeal (Rue-MEAL) Robinson, of whom Sports
Illustrated said
and Jerry Ford would love this
"he
looks and plays like a fullback." Against Seton Hall, your two
free throws with three seconds left won Michigan's first-ever
national basketball championship.
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Glen Rice. This year, he
became the Big Ten all-time leading scorer and the NCAA
tournament's Most Valuable Player. And, Glen, in the tourney's
six games, you scored 184 points to break the old record held by
a guy who now works just down the road from here
yes,
Princeton's Bill Bradley.
Finally, there's Steve Fisher
Michigan's new permanent
coach. Steve, compared with you, Walter Mitty's was a hum-drum
existence. of your success, even Ripley would disbelieve.
In three amazing weeks, you became the first rookie coach to
win a national basketball championship. You helped Michigan
become the first school to win the Rose Bowl and NCAA basketball
title in the same year. And last Monday night, surrounded by
your wife and two boys, you showed that Nice Guys Can Finish
First.
Six weeks ago, following a last-second loss to Indiana
forgive me, but Vice-President Quayle insisted I mention that!
Glen Rice said that every Michigan player was "going on a
mission." Well, last week, in Steve Fisher's words, that mission
reached basketball's "Promised Land."
Today, schools from Syracuse to North Carolina to UCLA
salute your story. And, today, "Hail to the Victors" is No. 1 on
basketball's hit parade. Mission Impossible? My friends, yours
has been a Mission Accomplished.
Thank you for coming here, God bless you, and God bless
America. And now, Rumeal, here's a basketball
there's the
net
and as we used to say at Yale, it's time for that old
college try!
# # # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 10, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Michigan Basketball
The draft remarks read well and are appropriate for the
occasion. The Yogi Berra and Walter Mitty lines are
excellent.
We have no recommended suggestions from a policy
standpoint.
CC: James W. Cicconi
Document No. 025066
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
4/10/89 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
10:00am 4/11/89
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
>
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston's office with an info copy to my by 10:00am Tuesday,
April 11. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Blessey)
1969 APR 10 21 3. 45
April 10, 1989
Draft Two
MICH
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WED., APRIL 12, 1989
Coach Fisher, Bo Schembechler, Wolverine Players and Staff,
Friends.
Let me recall, first, that this was once the home court of a
Michigan alumnus. Well, this morning, I received the following
telegram: "Michigan basketball, like America, is truly Number
One! Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford."
Second, let me welcome you to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. For
nearly 200 years, this has been the People's House. Well, in
1989, you have become the People's Choice.
It was Yogi Berra who once said of a State dinner at the
White House: "How could you get a conversation started in there?
Everybody was talking too much."
My friends, today much of America is talking. They are
talking about you, and your incredible championship. They're
calling it Wolverine Wonder. Or the Michigan Miracle. Or
basketball's Impossible Dream.
-2-
The 1989 Wolverines indeed had it all -- depth and
quickness, shooting and intelligence, and that strength of
character which embodies a champion.
For example, there's Terry Mills and Loy Vaught and Mark
Hughes, who combined for 27 points in that great semifinal game
against Illinois. Or Sean (SHAWN) Higgins, who scored the
winning basket against the Fighting Illini
...
and, yes, Bo,
you did get Illinois!
Then, there's Rumeal (Ruh-MEAL) Robinson, of whom Sports
Illustrated said
and Jerry Ford would love this
...
"he
looks and plays like a fullback." Against Seton Hall, your two
free throws with three seconds left won Michigan's first-ever
national basketball championship.
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Glen Rice. This year, he
became the Big Ten all-time leading scorer and the NCAA
tournament's Most Valuable Player. And, Glen, in the tourney's
six games, you scored 184 points to break the old record held by
a guy who now works just down the road from here
yes,
Princeton's Bill Bradley.
Finally, there's Steve Fisher
...
Michigan's new permanent
coach. Steve, compared with you, Walter Mitty's was a hum-drum
existence. Of your success, even Ripley would disbelieve.
-3-
In three amazing weeks, you became the first rookie coach to
win a national basketball championship. You helped Michigan
become the first school to win the Rose Bowl and NCAA basketball
title in the same year. And last Monday night, surrounded by
your wife and two boys, you showed that Nice Guys Can Finish
First.
Six weeks ago, following a last-second loss to Indiana
forgive me, but Vice-President Quayle insisted I mention that!
Glen Rice said that every Michigan player was "going on a
mission." Well, last week, in Steve Fisher's words, that mission
reached basketball's "Promised Land."
Today, schools from Syracuse to North Carolina to UCLA
salute your story. And, today, "Hail to the Victors" is No. 1 on
basketball's hit parade. Mission Impossible? My friends, yours
has been a Mission Achieved.
Thank you for coming here, God bless you, and God bless
America.
# # # #
REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WED. 1 APRIL 12, 1989
11:00 A.M.
PRESIDENT DUDERSTADT [DU-DER-STAT]. COACH FISHER.
WOLVERINE PLAYERS AND STAFF. MEMBERS OF THE MICHIGAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
- 2 -
PLAYERS AND COACHES OF THE DUNBAR, HIGH POINT, AND
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. ABOVE ALL,
FRIENDS.
LET ME RECALL, FIRST, THAT THIS WAS ONCE THE HOME
COURT OF A MICHIGAN ALUMNUS.
- 3 -
WELL, THIS MORNING, I KNOW THAT GERALD FORD WOULD JOIN
ME IN SAYING THAT MICHIGAN BASKETBALL, LIKE AMERICA, IS
TRULY NUMBER ONE!
SECOND, LET ME WELCOME YOU TO 1600 PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE. FOR NEARLY 200 YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN AMERICA'S
HOUSE. WELL, IN 1989, YOU HAVE BECOME AMERICA'S SPORTS
HEROES.
- 4 -
You KNOW, IT WAS ANOTHER SPORTS HERO, Yogi BERRA,
WHO ONCE SAID OF A STATE DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE:
"How COULD YOU GET A CONVERSATION STARTED IN THERE?
EVERYBODY WAS TALKING TOO MUCH."
My FRIENDS, TODAY MUCH OF AMERICA IS TALKING. THEY
ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU, AND YOUR INCREDIBLE
CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY'RE CALLING IT WOLVERINE WONDER.
- 5 -
OR THE MICHIGAN MIRACLE. OR BASKETBALL'S IMPOSSIBLE
DREAM.
THE 1989 WOLVERINES INDEED HAD IT ALL -- DEPTH AND
QUICKNESS, SHOOTING AND INTELLIGENCE, AND THAT STRENGTH
OF CHARACTER WHICH EMBODIES A CHAMPION.
- 6 -
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S TERRY MILLS AND Loy VAUGHT AND
MARK HUGHES, WHO COMBINED FOR 27 POINTS IN THAT GREAT
SEMIFINAL GAME AGAINST ILLINOIS. OR SEAN (SHAWN)
HIGGINS, WHO SCORED THE WINNING BASKET AGAINST THE
FIGHTING ILLINI
AND, YES, Bo SCHEMBECHLER, YOU
DID GET ILLINOIS!
- 7 -
THEN, THERE'S RUMEAL (RUE-MEAL) ROBINSON, OF WHOM
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SAID
AND JERRY FORD WOULD LOVE
THIS
"HE LOOKS AND PLAYS LIKE A FULLBACK."
AGAINST SETON HALL, YOUR TWO FREE THROWS WITH THREE
SECONDS LEFT WON MICHIGAN'S FIRST-EVER NATIONAL
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
- 8 -
DON'T WORRY: I'M NOT FORGETTING GLEN RICE. THIS
YEAR, HE BECAME THE BIG TEN ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER AND
THE NCAA TOURNAMENT'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. AND, GLEN,
IN THE TOURNEY'S SIX GAMES, YOU SCORED 184 POINTS TO
BREAK THE OLD RECORD HELD BY A GUY WHO NOW WORKS JUST
DOWN THE ROAD FROM HERE
YES, PRINCETON'S BILL
BRADLEY.
- 9 -
FINALLY, THERE'S STEVE FISHER
MICHIGAN'S NEW
PERMANENT COACH. STEVE, COMPARED WITH YOU, WALTER
MITTY'S WAS A HUM-DRUM EXISTENCE. OF YOUR SUCCESS,
EVEN RIPLEY WOULD DISBELIEVE.
IN THREE AMAZING WEEKS, YOU BECAME THE FIRST ROOKIE
COACH TO WIN A NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
- 10 -
You HELPED MICHIGAN BECOME THE FIRST SCHOOL TO WIN THE
ROSE BOWL AND NCAA BASKETBALL TITLE IN THE SAME YEAR.
AND LAST MONDAY NIGHT, SURROUNDED BY YOUR WIFE AND TWO
BOYS, YOU SHOWED THAT NICE Guys CAN FINISH FIRST. AND
LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, YOU HELPED ME WALK THE DOG HERE AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
- 11 -
EIGHT WEEKS AGO, FOLLOWING A LAST-SECOND LOSS To
INDIANA
...
FORGIVE ME, BUT VICE-PRESIDENT QUAYLE
INSISTED I MENTION THAT!
GLEN RICE SAID THAT
EVERY MICHIGAN PLAYER WAS "GOING ON A MISSION." WELL,
LAST WEEK, IN STEVE FISHER'S WORDS, THAT MISSION
REACHED BASKETBALL'S "PROMISED LAND."
- 12 -
TODAY, SCHOOLS FROM SYRACUSE TO NORTH CAROLINA TO
UCLA SALUTE YOUR STORY. AND, TODAY, "HAIL TO THE
VICTORS" IS No. 1 ON BASKETBALL'S HIT PARADE. MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE? MY FRIENDS, YOURS HAS BEEN A MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED.
THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD
BLESS AMERICA.
- 13 -
AND NOW, RUMEAL, HERE'S A BASKETBALL
THERE'S THE
NET
AND AS WE USED TO SAY AT YALE, IT'S TIME FOR
THAT OLD COLLEGE TRY!
# # # #
REMARKS: MICHIGAN BASKETBALL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WED., APRIL 12, 1989
11:00 A.M.
PRESIDENT DUDERSTADT [DU-DER-STAT]. COACH FISHER.
WOLVERINE PLAYERS AND STAFF. MEMBERS OF THE MICHIGAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
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PLAYERS AND COACHES OF THE DUNBAR, HIGH POINT, AND
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. ABOVE ALL,
FRIENDS.
LET ME RECALL, FIRST, THAT THIS WAS ONCE THE HOME
COURT OF A MICHIGAN ALUMNUS.
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WELL, THIS MORNING, I KNOW THAT GERALD FORD WOULD JOIN
ME IN SAYING THAT MICHIGAN BASKETBALL, LIKE AMERICA, IS
TRULY NUMBER ONE!
SECOND, LET ME WELCOME YOU TO 1600 PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE. FOR NEARLY 200 YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN AMERICA'S
HOUSE. WELL, IN 1989, YOU HAVE BECOME AMERICA'S SPORTS
HEROES.
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You KNOW, IT WAS ANOTHER SPORTS HERO, Yogi BERRA,
WHO ONCE SAID OF A STATE DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE:
"How COULD YOU GET A CONVERSATION STARTED IN THERE?
EVERYBODY WAS TALKING TOO MUCH."
My FRIENDS, TODAY MUCH OF AMERICA IS TALKING. THEY
ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU, AND YOUR INCREDIBLE
CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY'RE CALLING IT WOLVERINE WONDER.
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OR THE MICHIGAN MIRACLE. OR BASKETBALL'S IMPOSSIBLE
DREAM.
THE 1989 WOLVERINES INDEED HAD IT ALL -- DEPTH AND
QUICKNESS, SHOOTING AND INTELLIGENCE, AND THAT STRENGTH
OF CHARACTER WHICH EMBODIES A CHAMPION.
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FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S TERRY MILLS AND Loy VAUGHT AND
MARK HUGHES, WHO COMBINED FOR 27 POINTS IN THAT GREAT
SEMIFINAL GAME AGAINST ILLINOIS. OR SEAN (SHAWN)
HIGGINS, WHO SCORED THE WINNING BASKET AGAINST THE
FIGHTING ILLINI
AND, YES, Bo SCHEMBECHLER, YOU
DID GET ILLINOIS!
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THEN, THERE'S RUMEAL (RUE-MEAL) ROBINSON, OF WHOM
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SAID
AND JERRY FORD WOULD LOVE
THIS
"HE LOOKS AND PLAYS LIKE A FULLBACK."
AGAINST SETON HALL, YOUR TWO FREE THROWS WITH THREE
SECONDS LEFT WON MICHIGAN'S FIRST-EVER NATIONAL
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP,
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DON'T WORRY: I'M NOT FORGETTING GLEN RICE. THIS
YEAR, HE BECAME THE BIG TEN ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER AND
THE NCAA TOURNAMENT'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. AND, GLEN,
IN THE TOURNEY'S SIX GAMES, YOU SCORED 184 POINTS TO
BREAK THE OLD RECORD HELD BY A GUY WHO NOW WORKS JUST
DOWN THE ROAD FROM HERE
YES, PRINCETON'S BILL
BRADLEY.
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FINALLY, THERE'S STEVE FISHER
MICHIGAN'S NEW
PERMANENT COACH. STEVE, COMPARED WITH YOU, WALTER
MITTY'S WAS A HUM-DRUM EXISTENCE. OF YOUR SUCCESS,
EVEN RIPLEY WOULD DISBELIEVE.
IN THREE AMAZING WEEKS, YOU BECAME THE FIRST ROOKIE
COACH TO WIN A NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
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You HELPED MICHIGAN BECOME THE FIRST SCHOOL TO WIN THE
ROSE BOWL AND NCAA BASKETBALL TITLE IN THE SAME YEAR.
AND LAST MONDAY NIGHT, SURROUNDED BY YOUR WIFE AND TWO
BOYS, YOU SHOWED THAT NICE Guys CAN FINISH FIRST. AND
LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, YOU HELPED ME WALK THE DOG HERE AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
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EIGHT WEEKS AGO, FOLLOWING A LAST-SECOND LOSS TO
INDIANA
...
FORGIVE ME, BUT VICE-PRESIDENT QUAYLE
INSISTED I MENTION THAT!
...
GLEN RICE SAID THAT
EVERY MICHIGAN PLAYER WAS "GOING ON A MISSION." " WELL,
LAST WEEK, IN STEVE FISHER'S WORDS, THAT MISSION
REACHED BASKETBALL'S "PROMISED LAND."
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TODAY, SCHOOLS FROM SYRACUSE TO NORTH CAROLINA TO
UCLA SALUTE YOUR STORY. AND, TODAY, "HAIL TO THE
VICTORS" IS No. 1 ON BASKETBALL'S HIT PARADE. MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE? MY FRIENDS, YOURS HAS BEEN A MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED.
THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD
BLESS AMERICA.
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AND NOW, RUMEAL, HERE'S A BASKETBALL
.
THERE'S THE
.
NET
...
AND AS WE USED TO SAY AT YALE, IT'S TIME FOR
THAT OLD COLLEGE TRY!
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