University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Meet President Bush; CWS Opener With Miami Nears
October 01, 2001 | Baseball
OMAHA - As Tennessee's opening game against Miami nears at the 2001 College World Series, the Vols added one more memorable moment Friday for their Omaha scrapbook.
Head coach Rod Delmonico, along with UT players Chris Burke and Javi Herrera, had the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush prior to the CWS opener between Tulane and Stanford at Rosenblatt Stadium. Bush's father, former president George Bush, played in the first two College World Series as a first baseman and captain at Yale.
Bush, who became the first active president to attend the annual event, opened college's baseball showcase by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Stanford catcher Ryan Garko.
"I told him I hoped to have the opportunity to see him again," said Delmonico, referring to a possible White House visit following a national championship. "It was a real honor and I know our players really enjoyed it. I had never met a president before."
Bush met briefly with the coach and two players from each of the eight participating teams at Omaha shortly before throwing out the first pitch around 1:50 p.m. local time. The president stayed to watch a few innings of the Tulane-Stanford contest and made his way up to the press box for a few minutes of commentary on ESPN.
The Vols and Miami play Saturday (7:30 p.m.-EDT) in the final opening round game to be broadcast on ESPN2. Tennessee went through an almost two hour workout in Bellevue, a community just south of downtown Omaha.
Delmonico said he believes his team can compete this week if it gets quality pitching like the Vols have enjoyed through most of the NCAA Tournament so far. The Vols' ace Wyatt Allen (9-2, 5.99 ERA) will start for Tennessee against Miami.
"When our pitchers have pitched well, we've won this season," said Delmonico. "Very rarely have we lost when we pitch well. The key for us is to pitch, play defense and keep Miami's speed off the bases."
