The Auburn national champion men's and women's swimming and diving teams have been invited to the White House on Thursday, April 6 to be recognized by President George W. Bush at the 2006 White House NCAA Champions Day.

The visit will mark the second consecutive year for the men's swimming team to be honored at the White House, while it will be the women's first visit, though Co-Head Coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker had an opportunity to visit the White House as a Texas Longhorn.

According to his official schedule, President Bush will begin the day in Charlotte, NC to give a speech about the war on terrorism and then return to the White House by 2:25 p.m. for a photo opportunity with the champions. Joining the Tigers will be several fall championship teams. They include Wisconsin men's cross country team, Stanford women’s cross county, Washington women's volleyball, Portland women's soccer, Maryland men’s soccer and women's field hockey, and Colorado's ski team.

Last year the Tiger men got President Bush a racing brief, "I'm not going to wear it - at least in public," Bush joked.

"Any invitation to the White House is always of the highest honor," Auburn head coach David Marsh said. "This year is even more special because our women's team will get to join the men, who had an extraordinary experience last summer in Washington, D.C."

The women's swimming and diving team claimed its fourth national title in the last five years two weeks ago in Athens, Ga., while the men's program won its fourth consecutive NCAA title and sixth overall in Atlanta last week. Under the direction of Marsh, the men have won NCAA titles in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, while the women have captured national championships in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

"We look forward to all the activities our student-athletes will get to participate in during their visit, from personally meeting the President of the United States, to the Marine band play the Auburn fight song," said Marsh. "We very appreciative for the opportunity visit the White House. It's a reward to our men and women's team for their continued dedication to Auburn University, the swimming and diving program and it is a testament to their hard work."

The combined national championships marked the third time that Auburn has won both the men's and women's titles in the same year. The programs also both won in 2003 and 2004. Marsh is the only coach in NCAA history to lead a men's and women's program to national championships in the same season.

"It is very exciting that for the second consecutive year, Auburn will have the honor of visiting the White House," Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs said. "The men's program had a great visit last summer and I know they are looking forward to having the women's team join them for such a special occasion this year. Auburn and Auburn people are very proud of the accomplishments of Coach David Marsh and the men's and women's swimming and diving teams."