President Barack Obama made an unscheduled campaign-style stop en route to a mid-term election rally in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday by visiting with the football, volleyball and girls' tennis teams at the city's LaFollette High School. Players greeted him like a rock star, posing for pictures, jockeying to shake his hand and squealing with delight, according to a report from Reuters.
Obama met at midfield with the varsity, sophomore and freshman football teams, who were dressed in full uniforms and pads, holding their helmets and down on one knee with their coaches standing among them. The players greeted Obama with a "1-2-3 Clap," and the president exchanged hugs with the head coach and chatted with players for an estimated 10 to 15 minutes.
White House spokesman Bill Burton told the Associated Press that Obama urged the football players to work hard in sports and school and to avoid the types of mental errors that caused the Green Bay Packers to lose Monday to his favorite team, the Chicago Bears. Players later told Channel3000.com that the president encouraged them to ask questions and shook their hands before spending a few minutes with the tennis and volleyball teams. Even members of the girls' swim team - shivering and dripping wet in their swimsuits - came outside to greet Obama.
Many of the players told local media outlets that the surprise visit fired them up for the rest of practice. And coaches, who were caught just as off-guard as everyone else, said they hope that energy carries over into their games this week and for the rest of the season.
For video of the visit, click here.
