May 4, 2001

By Robert Gehrke
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - For the fourth straight year, Air Force football players stood outside the White today in blue dress uniforms accepting the commander-in-chief's trophy, given to the best football team from a service academy.

"Winning this trophy is supposed to be a struggle, not a hobby," President Bush told Coach Fisher DeBerry, who led the Falcons to the trophy for 10 of the last 12 years. "If you spend any more time in Washington, the folks back in Colorado Springs are going to start saying you are out of touch."

Air Force quarterback Mike Thiessen presented Bush with a blue jersey with "Bush" and "1" on the back, which Thiessen said he is "sure is the first of eight Air Force jerseys" for the president.

Following the ceremony on the south lawn of the White House, cadets shook hands with the president and posed for pictures beside the silver trophy.

The Falcons beat Army 41-27 last November and Navy 27-13 a month earlier to clinch the trophy. Air Force finished the season 8-3 and beat Fresno State 37-34 in the Silicon Valley Classic Bowl Game.

But Bush noted that the football achievements are "not as important as the solemn oath" the cadets will take later this month, when Vice President Dick Cheney will administer the federal Oath of Office to the graduating class.

"(DeBerry) is not just recruiting to win games. He's recruiting to win wars if we have one," Bush said.

DeBerry said he is proud of the work the team had done and their leadership skills.

"We plan to be back next year, also," said DeBerry, who invited Bush to come watch the Air Force-Navy game in Washington in October.

The Falcons open the coming season against defending champions, Oklahoma, who Bush said he hopes the cadets can "soften up" before the Sooners play any teams from Texas.