The UNC field hockey and women’s tennis teams were honored at the White House

On Monday, June 12, the UNC women’s tennis and field hockey teams visited the White House to participate in College Athlete Day and celebrate their national championships.

North Carolina women’s tennis won its first national championship in program history over rival NC State 4-1 in May. UNC women’s field hockey won the program’s 10th national championship with a 2-1 victory over Northwestern in November.

Several people welcomed the captains of each national championship team to the stage, including vice president Kamala Harris and another gentleman, Douglas Emhoff.

Sophia Patel, captain of the women’s tennis team, and Erin Matson, former captain and current head coach of the ice hockey team, represented their teams on stage at the ceremony.

I looked around like, ‘Holy cow, there are so many national champions here, I feel like a small fish in a big pond right now,'” Patel said.

The two North Carolina teams learned just two weeks before the event that they would be recognized at the White House, which prevented some teammates and coaches from attending, Patel said.

However, during their five-hour bus ride to the nation’s capital, rising field hockey midfielder Katie Dixon said the athletes on both teams were engaged and able to share their shared experience of winning a national championship.

“I think it’s great and it shows how UNC honestly dominates the sport right now,” Dixon said. “It’s great.”

NCAA President Charlie Barker, former governor of Massachusetts, gave the opening remarks at the ceremony.

You all got to the so-called top of the heap, but you represent half a million college athletes who are part of this wonderful, beautiful thing called sports, Barker said.

Harris and Emhoff then approached the podium, and Harris spoke about the trials and sacrifices required of athletes to commit to the sport.

Only the best of the best become national champions, and that’s all of you,” Harris said. “When you step on the court, you inspire so many across our country, people you may never meet, not just because of the way you play. but because of who you are. Every day you remind us all of what we can achieve when we work hard and pursue ambition.”

The teams then met with U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee (DN.C. 4th), who represents Chapel Hill and surrounding areas in Congress.

Dixon said the opportunity to see other teams represented at the White House helped him realize how special it is to win an NCAA championship.

Rising senior Kiersten Thomassey, a midfielder on the field hockey team, said the visit to the White House showed the continued growth of women’s sports.

It was a symbol of how important sports are and how far sports, especially women’s sports, have come in America, Thomassey said.

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