On a sunny afternoon at the White House, the Florida Gators basketball team took its time strolling through the South Lawn. The scent of freshly cut grass served as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of college basketball — new champions arrive each year, but few return.
The 2006-07 Florida Gators basketball team was different.
Under head coach Billy Donovan, Florida made back-to-back trips to the White House in 2006 and 2007. The achievement marked the first time a college basketball team won consecutive championships in the 21st century.
It took nearly 18 years, but the 2024-25 Florida Gators basketball team returned to the White House on Wednesday for the first time since 2007. Florida defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 April 7, earning a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
“Today, we’re delighted to welcome the 2025 NCAA basketball champions, the University of Florida Gators,” President Donald Trump said. “Congratulations also to a really great, young head coach, Todd Golden, on the entire job he did, the season, the inspiration that he gave these players.”
Trump continued by recognizing Florida politicians in attendance. The president called upon Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and Reps. Byron Donalds and Kat Cammack. He also invited former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow to stand alongside the team.
Trump recalled moments throughout the Gators’ season. He singled out the accomplishments of Florida guards Will Richard, Alijah Martin, Denzel Aberdeen, Walter Clayton Jr. and forward Thomas Haugh.
“You refused to let up when the odds were against you,” Trump said. “That’s the mark of true champions.”
The 47th President of the United States concluded his speech with a “Go Gators” sign-off and invited Golden to the podium.
“I like to think of our program similarly to how you think of the United States — we’re a meritocracy,” Golden said. “We work really, really hard, no matter what you look like or where you come from. If you put the team first and win, we're going to play you.”
As a token of appreciation, Florida’s head coach presented a white No. 47 Gators jersey to the president. Golden also ended his speech with a “Go Gators” and made his way to the Oval Office with players.
So, how did the tradition compare to when Florida visited the White House in the early 2000s?
The 2005-06 and 2006-07 Gators basketball teams visited when former President George W. Bush was in office. Florida and 11 other NCAA Champions were celebrated on the South Lawn on April 6, 2006. The next year, 28 teams were recognized for their achievements.
“Today is the day we recognize that millions have competed in the NCAA, but only a few become champs,” Bush said at the event. “The first champs we honor are the mighty Florida Gators, ably coached by Billy Donovan.”
Bush’s speech lasted a relatively short 12 minutes. He began by mentioning Florida and ended his speech talking about the team’s camaraderie off the court. He offered a single Gator chomp near the beginning of his speech, inciting laughter from the crowd.
“Florida basketball players spent Thanksgiving morning serving hot meals at a local shelter,” Bush said. “We've not only got fine athletes with us, we've got fine Americans with us.”
After the speech, Florida senior captain Adrian Moss presented a blue No. 1 Florida jersey to the president.
The celebration was more diluted the following year, with nearly 30 teams in attendance for Champions Day, the largest gathering of teams at the time. Bush briefly referenced Florida at the beginning and midway through his speech.
“A feat that's really hard to do is win back-to-back NCAA basketball titles,” he said. “We're proud to welcome the Florida men's basketball team here.”
The Gators kick off the 2025-26 regular season against the Arizona Wildcats Nov. 3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org. Follow him on X @lukeadrag.
Luke Adragna is a third-year journalism student and the Florida Gators football reporter at The Alligator. He is a cat ethusiast and completes the NYT Daily Mini in less than a minute each day.
