In a jubilant ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump celebrated the Florida Gators, the 2025 NCAA basketball champions, paying tribute to their remarkable journey during this year’s March Madness. Trump underscored the Gators’ resilience, remarking that “lesser teams would have crumbled” amid tense moments in their nail-biting title game, where they edged out the Houston Cougars with a narrow 65-63 victory in San Antonio this past April.
The Gators, boasting an impressive 36-4 season record, showcased their tenacity throughout the tournament, with four come-from-behind wins to secure their place in the championship game. Highlighting the dramatic climax of the final, Trump recalled how Alijah Martin sank two pivotal free throws with just 46.5 seconds remaining on the clock, pushing Florida ahead when the stakes were at their highest. It’s a testament to their grit that they led the game for only a fleeting 64 seconds, yet it was enough to capture the crown.
This victory marked Florida’s third NCAA basketball title, a feat that places the Gators in an exclusive circle as the only program to hold three championships in both basketball and football. Their legacy in the sport is further punctuated by their back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007, during which they previously visited the White House under President George W. Bush.
The East Room ceremony was graced by key figures from Florida’s political scene, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Trump humorously dubbed “the biggest Florida fan.” Also present were Florida Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, a contingent of House members, and former college football star Tim Tebow. Trump lauded Tebow as potentially “the best ever” college player, expressing his fandom despite the former Gator’s brief tenure with the NFL’s New York Jets.
In a lighthearted moment, the Gators presented Trump with an autographed basketball and a personalized No. 47 jersey, further solidifying the bond between the team and the White House. The president also took a moment to commend the Gators’ head coach, Todd Golden, referring to him as “great” and “young,” jokingly wishing to represent him as an agent.
Last year, President Joe Biden had hosted a combined ceremony recognizing the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball champions, honoring the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies. Since taking office, Trump has made it a point to honor various championship teams, including the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Ohio State Buckeyes in April, a ceremony marked by a memorable mishap involving Vice President JD Vance and the team’s championship trophy.
As the Gators bask in the glow of their championship glory, they not only add to their storied history but also remind us all of the thrilling unpredictability that sports can deliver.
