UNT's Head Football Coach Todd Dodge shakes hands with President George W. Bush Feb. 9 at the White House.

DENTON (UNT), Texas - Talk about knowing people in high places - UNT's Head Football Coach Todd Dodge met with President George W. Bush Feb. 9.

During a family visit to the Washington area, Dodge took his wife, Elizabeth, son, Riley, and daughter, Molly, on a tour of the White House and while they were there, the President invited them into the Oval Office to talk a little football.

According to Dodge, Bush's first comments were directed to Riley Dodge, quarterback for the 2006 Class 5A state champion Southlake Carroll High School Dragons. Coach Dodge received considerable acclaim from his success at Carroll prior to joining UNT.

"The first thing the President said was, 'Hey, Riley, I've never seen anyone throw up and then throw a touchdown pass,'" Dodge says. The President was referring to the fact that television cameras caught Riley getting sick in the midst of a scoring drive in the state title game against Austin Westlake. The Dragons went on to win the game and the Class 5A title.

Dodge says, "Meeting President Bush was the highlight of our trip. He spent time talking to Riley and Molly about the difference between making popular decisions and making right decisions. He also is a big football fan and is aware of what we are doing at the University of North Texas."

The invitation came through a series of connections. An aide to First Lady Laura Bush is the sister of the Carroll defensive line coach.

Dodge says the meet-and-greet with the President happened so quickly he kept thinking it would be canceled at any minute.

"Luckily, it all worked and the President even showed us the famous trap door in his desk, the one John F. Kennedy Jr. was photographed playing inside while his father worked," he says.

UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Roddy Wolper (940) 565-2943
Email: rwolper@unt.edu