Kristian Ferrell
In 2019, the University of Virginia's men's basketball team, the Cavaliers, declined an invitation to the White House from then-President Donald Trump. The team had won the NCAA championship, and it is traditional for championship-winning teams to visit the White House. However, Trump's response to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where a peaceful protester was killed, caused controversy, and a petition was started by a UVA alumna urging the team to refuse any invitation. The team's coach, Tony Bennett, eventually announced that the team would decline any invitation, citing logistical reasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019 |
| Petition | A petition was started by Lacey Kohlmoos, a UVA alumna, asking the team to refuse an invitation to the White House |
| Number of signatures | 10,850 out of 11,000 |
| Reasoning | President Trump's response to the white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville was deemed insulting and unacceptable |
| Team response | The team announced they would decline any invitation |
| Coach's response | Coach Tony Bennett supported the team's decision |
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What You'll Learn
UVA basketball team declines White House invitation
The University of Virginia's (UVA) basketball team has respectfully declined an invitation to the White House to commemorate its run to the national title. The team's coach, Tony Bennett, said that logistics, not politics, would preclude Virginia from accepting the invitation. Four Virginia players have declared for the NBA draft, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get everyone back together.
This decision continues a trend of basketball champions' spurning the traditional fete during the polarizing Trump administration. In this case, the move was particularly poignant as it highlighted widespread outrage over President Trump's response to the white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville, the team's hometown. UVA alumna and Care2 Organizing Strategist, Lacey Kohlmoos, started a petition urging the team not to go to the White House, citing Trump's "reprehensible and divisive behavior" and his failure to adequately condemn the white nationalists who invaded Charlottesville in 2017.
Kohlmoos' petition quickly gained thousands of signatures, with 10,850 of the 11,000-signature goal as of Tuesday morning after it was created. She felt it was her "duty" as an alumna to make this important statement and hoped the basketball team would listen to the request of the petition's supporters. While the White House had not officially extended an invitation as of April 16, 2019, Coach Bennett made clear that the team would decline if one were to be offered.
This is not the first time a sports team has declined a White House invitation during the Trump administration. In 2017, Dawn Staley announced that her team would not accept an invitation after South Carolina's women's basketball national title. Additionally, Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly did not join his teammates at the White House after their Stanley Cup run last season.
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UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos starts petition against the visit
In 2019, UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos started a petition urging the University of Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team to reject an invitation to the White House from President Donald Trump. Kohlmoos, a Care2 Organizing Strategist, stated that she felt it was her "duty" as an alumna to make this "important statement". The petition text referenced Trump's response to the 2017 Charlottesville riot, accusing him of emboldening white supremacists and increasing racial tensions and hate crimes. Kohlmoos argued that by accepting the invitation, the basketball team would be "condoning the president's reprehensible and divisive behaviour".
The petition quickly gained support, with 10,850 signatures out of an 11,000-signature goal as of Tuesday morning after it was created on April 10. Kohlmoos expressed that she was not surprised by the swift accumulation of signatures, reflecting the integrity of the UVA community. The petition stated: "By accepting a White House invitation, the team would be condoning the president's reprehensible and divisive behaviour, which is unacceptable". While the White House had not extended an invitation at the time, Kohlmoos hoped the basketball team would listen to the petition's supporters if one was to be offered.
The petition sparked varying responses. The UVA College Democrats supported the petition, agreeing that the basketball team should reject a potential invitation. In contrast, the UVA College Republicans President, Robert Andrews, criticised it as a "petty politicisation". As of April 28, 2019, the petition had garnered over 15,000 signatures, and the UVA basketball team ultimately decided to reject the invitation.
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Kohlmoos calls for a celebration without hate
Following the University of Virginia (UVA) men's basketball team's victory as National Champions, a petition was started by UVA alumna and Care2 Organizing Strategist, Lacey Kohlmoos, urging the team to decline an invitation to the White House and celebrate "without hate". Kohlmoos' petition, which gained over 10,000 signatures, called for the team to celebrate their win wholeheartedly, but without President Donald Trump. Kohlmoos stated that Trump's "tepid response" to the Charlottesville incident in 2017, where white nationalists invaded the city, was "insulting".
The UVA team beat Texas Tech University 85-77, and while Trump tweeted his congratulations, it is unclear if an official invitation to the White House has been extended. Kohlmoos hopes that the basketball team will listen to the request of the petition's supporters. Kohlmoos is not alone in her feelings, and it is evident that many share her sentiments about the team visiting the Trump White House.
In the past, other championship-winning teams have also declined invitations to the White House. In 2017, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels were unable to find a date that worked for both parties, and in 2018, the Villanova University men's basketball team did not receive an invitation at all.
Kohlmoos' petition highlights the desire to separate the UVA basketball team's victory celebration from any potential political affiliations or controversies. It underscores the importance of using one's platform and influence to make a statement and stand up for one's values. By calling for a celebration "without hate", Kohlmoos and the petition's supporters are advocating for a joyous and inclusive event that unites the community and honours the team's achievement, free from any divisive or controversial elements.
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The team's response to the White House invitation
In 2019, the University of Virginia's (UVA) men's basketball team was invited to the White House to celebrate their NCAA championship win. However, the team declined the invitation, citing logistical challenges with getting the team back together as some players had moved on to the NBA. This decision was made amidst public debate and a petition by UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos, urging the team not to condone President Trump's actions regarding his response to the white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in 2017. Kohlmoos' petition garnered significant support, reflecting the community's sentiment.
Lacey Kohlmoos, a UVA alumna and Care2 Organizing Strategist, initiated a petition on Care2.com, calling for the basketball team to celebrate their victory "without hate" and refuse a potential invitation to the White House. The petition highlighted Trump's controversial response to the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, which had caused outrage within the UVA community. Kohlmoos expressed her duty as an alumna to make an "important statement" and encouraged the team to listen to the supporters of the petition.
The petition gained traction quickly, with 10,850 signatures out of an 11,000-signature goal as of Tuesday morning after it was created on April 10. This momentum reflected the sentiment of the UVA community, who felt that accepting the invitation would be condoning the president's behaviour. As of Monday evening, the petition had received 10,500 signatures, with the final count remaining unknown.
While the team did not explicitly reference the petition or political reasons in their response, their decision to decline the invitation amidst the public debate sent a message. The team's coach, Tony Bennett, stated that logistics, not politics, were the primary reason for their decision. However, the timing of their announcement and the context of the petition suggest that the team was aware of the community's sentiments and may have considered them in their decision-making process.
In conclusion, the UVA men's basketball team's response to the White House invitation was influenced by a combination of logistical challenges and the public's petition against celebrating their victory with President Trump. Their decision contributed to a trend of championship teams declining traditional White House visits during the Trump administration, reflecting a complex interplay between sports and politics.
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The team's visit to the White House during the Trump administration
In 2019, the University of Virginia (UVA) men's basketball team became the National Champions. However, it is unclear if the White House extended an invitation for the team to visit and celebrate their victory with then President Donald Trump. UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos started a petition urging the team to refuse a White House invitation from Trump. Kohlmoos, a Care2 Organizing Strategist, said that she felt it was her "duty" as an alumna to use the tools she had available to "make this important statement". The petition, created on April 10, 2019, had 10,850 of the 11,000-signature goal as of Tuesday morning. Kohlmoos called out Trump's "insulting" response to the white nationalists who invaded Charlottesville and killed a peaceful protester.
UVA head coach Tony Bennett said that he had no information about the White House and that the day was all about celebrating the national championship with the team and the UVA community. It is unknown if Trump would have invited the UVA basketball team, but Bennett also said that the team would not visit the White House as it would be "difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together".
During the Trump administration, the long-standing tradition of title-winners visiting the White House has turned into a bit of a circus. Half of the 20 teams that won championships in major sports during Trump's first two years in office were either not invited or declined the invitation. The other half had ceremonies that were marred by various reasons, including the absence of notable players.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the University of Virginia's men's basketball team declined the invitation to visit the White House in 2019.
The team's decision was influenced by a petition created by UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos, which gathered almost 11,000 signatures. The petition called for the team to celebrate "without hate" and referenced President Trump's response to the white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in 2017.
The petition stated that Trump had "done all he could to stoke racial tension and embolden white supremacists". It also argued that by accepting the invitation, the team would be "condoning the president's reprehensible and divisive behavior".
UVA basketball player De'Andre Hunter tweeted "No Thanks Trump". Coach Tony Bennett also announced the team's decision to decline the invitation on Twitter, but did not specifically reference the petition.
