• Guests on the South Lawn at NASCAR Reception
    Steve Raymer
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    sports
    receptions
    In this photograph, taken September 13, 1978 by National Geographic photographer Steve Raymer, members of the NASCAR racing community enjoy a reception on the South Lawn of the White House. Though he was unable to attend the event as his presence was needed for peace negotiations at Camp David, the event was organized by President Jimmy Carter. A passionate NASCAR fan, Carter used to sell tickets at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Guests in attendance included Bill France, Sr. and Bill France, Jr., and country singer Willie Nelson performed.
  • Torches Illuminate NASCAR Reception
    Steve Raymer
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    sports
    receptions
    In this photograph, taken September 13, 1978 by National Geographic photographer Steve Raymer, guests dine by torchlight during an evening reception on the South Lawn. The United States Marine Band can be seen performing on the South Portico in the background. This photograph was taken during an event held for the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) community, which included a dinner and entertainment by country singer Willie Nelson.
  • President Obama Meets with FIFA Representatives
    Pete Souza
    sports
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    White House Guests
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama meets with representatives from FIFA (Federal Internationale de Football Association) on July 27, 2009 in the Oval Office. President of FIFA, Joseph S. "Sepp" Blatter, is seated to President Obama's left and presented Obama with jerseys for his two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Obama welcomed Blatter to the White House to discuss the the United States' bid to host the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2018 or 2022, which would ultimately go to Russia and Qatar.
  • President Clinton Presented with World Cup Soccer Jersey
    Ralph Alswang
    sports
    White House Guests
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    In this photograph by Ralph Alswang, President Bill Clinton is presented with a commemorative jersey by members of the United States Women's National Soccer team on July 27, 1999. President Clinton welcomed the team at a South Lawn ceremony following their FIFA Women's World Cup victory earlier that month. Players Julie Foudy and Carla Overbeck presented President Clinton with a jersey with the number "99" on the back in honor of their championship year. The United States also hosted the tournament the month-long tournament. It was the women team's second World Cup championship since the tournament began in 1991.
  • Soccer Clinic on the South Lawn
    Chuck Kennedy
    sports
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    In this photograph by Chuck Kennedy, students from DC SCORES play soccer on the South Lawn of the White House on October 1, 2014. The soccer clinic occurred following Sporting Kansas City's visit to the White House. President Barack Obama honored the team for their 2013 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Championship in an East Room ceremony. DC SCORES is an organization founded in 1994 in Washington, D.C. to establish neighborhood youth soccer teams and aiming to bring the lessons learned on the playing field into the classroom and life.
  • U.S. Women's Soccer Team Takes a Selfie with President Obama
    Lawrence Jackson
    White House Guests
    sports
    State Floor
    East Room
    In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, President Barack Obama poses for a selfie with the United States Women's National Soccer team in the East Room on October 27, 2015. President Obama welcomed the team to the White House following their FIFA Women's World Cup victory in July of that year. Taking the selfie in the foreground was star forward Abby Wambach with star winger Megan Rapinoe beside her.
  • Mrs. Obama Meets David Beckham at Winfield House
    Pete Souza
    sports
    Great Britain
    travel
    Presidential Visit
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, First Lady Michelle Obama meets soccer superstar David Beckham at a dinner hosted by Mrs. Obama and her husband, President Barack Obama, at Winfield House in London, England on May 25, 2011. Winfield House is the residence of the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. President and Mrs. Obama hosted the dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (pictured next to Mrs. Obama) following a State Banquet hosted by the royal couple at Buckingham Palace the previous evening. The two dinners were a part of President Obama's two day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
  • President Obama Watches the United States Compete in the World Cup
    Pete Souza
    sports
    travel
    Canada
    Presidential Visit
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama watches the United States Men's National Soccer team play Ghana in the FIFA Men's World Cup on June 26, 2010. President Obama watched the game from a room at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto, Canada during the G20 Summit. The United States played Ghana in the knockout stage, ultimately losing 1-2 to the African nation.
  • President Obama Tosses a Soccer Ball After Meeting with the Columbus Crew
    Pete Souza
    White House Guests
    sports
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama tosses a soccer ball after a Rose Garden celebration with the Columbus Crew on July 13, 2009. The Major League Soccer (MLS) team visited with President Obama following their 2008 MLS Cup Championship. Obama tossed the soccer ball in the air on his way back to the Oval Office. The ball, along with team banner and uniform, were gifts for Obama from the team.
  • Vice President Biden Cheers at Women's World Cup Final
    David Lienemann
    travel
    sports
    Canada
    Cabinet
    First Family
    In this photograph by David Lienemann, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. cheers on the United States Women's National Soccer team as they compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup final on July 5, 2015. The United States women's team beat Japan 5-2 for their third World Cup title. Vice President Biden was joined at the game by (from left to right): Sasha Obama, youngest daughter of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, his granddaughter Maisy Biden, and granddaughter Natalie Biden.
  • President Obama Watches the United States Compete in the World Cup
    Pete Souza
    sports
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama watches the United States Men's National Soccer team play Belgium in the FIFA Men's World Cup on July 1, 2014. President Obama watched the game with staff in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's South Court Auditorium. The United States played Belgium in the knockout stage, ultimately losing 1-2 to the European nation.
  • Soccer Clinic on the South Lawn with the Colorado Rapids
    Lawrence Jackson
    sports
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    South Portico
    In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, a group of children from military families play soccer on the South Lawn of the White House on June 27, 2011. The soccer clinic occurred following the Colorado Rapids' visit to the White House. President Barack Obama honored the team for their 2010 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Championship in an East Room ceremony. Members of the team were on had for the clinic, as seen on the sidelines in the background of this photograph.
  • Students Attend L.A. Kings and L.A. Galaxy Workshop
    Chuck Kennedy
    sports
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    In this photograph by Chuck Kennedy, a group of students attend a workshop in the State Dining Room of the White House on February 2, 2015. The workshop took place following the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy's visit to the White House, where President Barack Obama honored both teams for their 2014 championships: the Kings won the National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup while the Galaxy won the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Championship. Both teams were on hand for the East Room ceremony and the State Dining Room workshop.
  • President Ford Welcomes Pelé to the White House
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    White House Guests
    sports
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    In this photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick, President Gerald R. Ford welcomes soccer superstar Pelé in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 28, 1975. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé visited the White House while in town with his team the New York Cosmos, who were scheduled to play against the Washington Diplomats in a North American Soccer League match that weekend. Pelé showed President Ford his juggling skills, seen here, before the president tried his hand at the soccer skill. Also attending the event were Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, Brazilian ambassador to the United States; Joseph Danzansky, owner of the New York Cosmos; Clive Toye, general manager of the Cosmos; Steven Leipsner, general manager of the Washington Diplomats; and Julio Mazzei, Pelé’s adviser and longtime friend, who served as his interpreter.
  • President Ford Welcomes Pelé to the White House
    David Hume Kennerly
    sports
    White House Guests
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    In this photograph by David Hume Kennerly, President Gerald R. Ford welcomes soccer superstar Pelé in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 28, 1975. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé visited the White House while in town with his team the New York Cosmos, who were scheduled to play against the Washington Diplomats in a North American Soccer League match that weekend. Pelé showed President Ford his juggling skills before the president, seen here, tried his hand at the soccer skill. Also attending the event were Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, Brazilian ambassador to the United States; Joseph Danzansky, owner of the New York Cosmos; Clive Toye, general manager of the Cosmos; Steven Leipsner, general manager of the Washington Diplomats; and Julio Mazzei, Pelé’s adviser and longtime friend, who served as his interpreter.
  • President Ford Welcomes Pelé to the White House
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    White House Guests
    sports
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    In this photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick, President Gerald R. Ford welcomes soccer superstar Pelé in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 28, 1975. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé visited the White House while in town with his team the New York Cosmos, who were scheduled to play against the Washington Diplomats in a North American Soccer League match that weekend. Pelé showed President Ford his juggling skills, seen here, before the president tried his hand at the soccer skill. Also attending the event were Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, Brazilian ambassador to the United States; Joseph Danzansky, owner of the New York Cosmos; Clive Toye, general manager of the Cosmos; Steven Leipsner, general manager of the Washington Diplomats; and Julio Mazzei, Pelé’s adviser and longtime friend, who served as his interpreter.
  • President Clinton Plays Soccer with Pelé on Trip to Brazil
    Ralph Alswang
    sports
    Presidential Visit
    Brazil
    In this photograph by Ralph Alswang, President Bill Clinton practices his soccer skills in front of soccer superstar Pelé on October 15, 1997. The soccer display took place following a speech by President Clinton at the Vila Olímpica da Mangueira School in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a stop on an extensive tour Clinton took of South America. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé was at the time serving as Brazil's first minister of sports.
  • President Reagan Plays Soccer with Pelé and Steve Moyers
    Unknown
    White House Guests
    sports
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan kicks a soccer ball to American soccer star Steve Moyers on October 14, 1982. Soccer icon Pelé, standing at left, was also a part of the group kick around. Pelé and Moyers were invited to the White House that day to put on a soccer demonstration for two local youth soccer teams -- the Green Raiders and the Stompers -- gathered in the Rose Garden. Pelé and Moyers first met with President Reagan in the Oval Office. Following their demonstration, Pelé (born Edson Arantes do Nascimento) spoke to the young players. President Reagan then tossed the ball and the two teams played a game in the Rose Garden.
  • President Reagan Speaks with Brazilian President and Pelé at State Dinner
    Unknown
    White House Guests
    sports
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    Head of State
    State Visit
    State Dinner
    In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan speaks with President José Sarney of Brazil and Brazilian soccer superstar Pelé at a State Dinner held in honor of the Brazilian president's official visit to the White House on September 10, 1986. The trio met in the Blue Room while the State Dinner took place outside, in the Rose Garden.
  • President Ford Swims in the New White House Pool
    David Hume Kennerly
    swimming pool
    sports
    press
    South Grounds
    leisure
    This black and white photograph by David Hume Kennerly shows President Gerald R. Ford swimming in the new White House swimming pool for reporters on July 5, 1975. The swimming pool is located on the South Grounds of the White House and is different from the one built in 1933 during the Franklin Roosevelt administration, which was indoors and covered over in 1970 to become the Press Room. President Ford's first swim in the pool came just a few days earlier, on July 1.
  • President Bush Receives NCAA Champions
    Tina Hager
    sports
    White House Guests
    East Room
    State Floor
    This photograph was taken by Tina Hager on June 17, 2003, during a reception hosted by President George W. Bush in the East Room honoring the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Winter Championship teams. Here, President Bush is presented with a jersey by guard Diana Taurasi of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. Taurasi was a member of the team for three of its NCAA championship wins from 2002-2004.
  • President Obama Greets DePaul Women's Basketball Champions
    Pete Souza
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    sports
    White House Guests
    In this photograph taken by Pete Souza, President Barack Obama greets members of the DePaul University women's basketball team. The team visited the White House on June 14, 2013 in celebration of their NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. President Obama greeted the group in the Blue Room.
  • President Obama Awards the Medal of Freedom to Pat Summitt
    Lawrence Jackson
    sports
    ceremonies
    White House Guests
    State Floor
    Presidential Medal of Freedom
    East Room
    merits & awards
    In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pat Summitt, legendary former coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team. The ceremony took place on May 29, 2012 in the East Room. Novelist Toni Morrison, seated at left, was also honored with the award in addition Madeline Albright, John Doar, Bob Dylan, William Foege, John Glenn, Gordon Hirabayashi, Dolores Huerta, Jan Karski, Juliette Gordon Low, Shimon Peres, and John Paul Stevens.
  • President Reagan with the 1986 Women's NCAA Champions
    Mary Anne Fackelman
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    White House Guests
    sports
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan with members of the University of Texas at Austin women's basketball team was taken by Mary Anne Fackelman on April 16, 1986. President Reagan welcomed the Longhorns to the Rose Garden following their victory over the University of Southern California at the NCAA Division I Women's Championship that March. The team gave Reagan a jacket emblazoned with "Texas" during their meeting.
  • President Clinton with the 1994 NCCA Men's Basketball Champions
    Sharon Farmer
    sports
    White House Guests
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    This photograph of President Bill Clinton with members of the University of Arkansas men's basketball team was taken by Sharon Farmer on June15, 1994. President Clinton welcomed the Razorbacks -- from his home state -- to the Rose Garden following their victory over Duke University at the NCAA Division I Men's Championship that month. Here, Clinton shakes the hand of shooting guard Scotty Thurman.