President George W. Bush congratulated members of the 2004 NCAA champion California State Fullerton baseball team on May 13.

May 13, 2005

Cal State Fullerton got one more opportunity to reflect on the Titans' 2004 national championship in baseball when the team visited President George W. Bush at the White House on May 13.

All 25 players on the roster in Omaha with the exception of minor leaguers Kurt Suzuki and Jason Windsor and reserve outfielder Shawn Scobee, who transferred to Nevada, made the trip, along with the returning coaches and CSUF President Milton A. Gordon.

The meeting with President Bush took place in the East Room of the White House, which is appropriate since that was the Titans' lucky number last June in Omaha. Among many coincidences, it was Fullerton's 13th trip to the College World Series, its 13th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and Windsor won his 13th game for the Super Regional on June 13, on the road to the College World Series. The Titans were sure to remind President Bush that they beat the University of Texas in the championship game, 3-2. They also beat the Longhorns in the 1984 title game, 3-1.

Along with the College World Series-winning Titans, Stanford's women's volleyball team, plus soccer teams from Indiana and Notre Dame also were recognized.

While welcoming the Titans to the White House, President Bush greeted CSUF President Milton A. Gordon and his wife, Margaret Faulwell Gordon, Titan baseball coach George Horton and Congressman Ed Royce, a CSUF alumnus. Looking at Royce, who was seated in the front row of the audience gathered in the East Room for the occasion, Bush asked: "You like baseball?" Royce replied, nodding toward the players: "I like that team."

Bush drew applause when he cited the players' motto: "Think how good it's gonna feel."

"I didn't feel so good for the Longhorns," he deadpanned, eliciting laughter from attendees. "But I do want to congratulate you. I love baseball; I was telling the players, that's my favorite sport of all. It's a hard game to play, and it's definitely a team game, and it's really hard to win the national championship . . ."

Fullerton currently has a record of 37-12 overall and is in first place in the Big West. The Titans are ranked No. 1 in the nation again this week by Baseball America.

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