Presidential All Stars: From the Sports Arena to the White House Dr. Barbara A. Perry Presidential Oral History Program Dr. Barbara A. Perry Presidential Oral History Program University of Virginia University of Virginia

Today’s Goals Identify the most athletic modern presidents Identify the most athletic modern presidents Examine why presidents- Examine why presidents- to-be have engaged in sports Determine the impact of sports experiences on presidents Determine the impact of sports experiences on presidents Link athleticism to POTUS performance Link athleticism to POTUS performance Cards in the White House w/Hoopster in Chief

Presidents, Athletics, and I JFK in The Ville, Oct. JFK in The Ville, Oct (Note: “U of L Backs Jack” sign in upper left) BAP at Wildwood Country Club, 2 nd in 6 & under freestyle, Aug. 1962

Who are the most athletic modern presidents?

Most Accomplished Modern POTUS-Athletes Gerald Ford: center on 2 national champion Wolverine football teams Gerald Ford: center on 2 national champion Wolverine football teams George H. W. Bush: capt. of college world series Yale squad

POTUSes-to-be try to improve their health. TR as asthmatic lad & as Harvard wrestler TR as asthmatic lad & as Harvard wrestler JFK in sickly boyhood & as Harvard swimmer

Impact of Sports on Presidents Battlefield parallels (George Carlin’s football description!) Battlefield parallels (George Carlin’s football description!) Leadership lessons Leadership lessons Teamwork skills Teamwork skills Images of courage, strength, vigor, masculinity Images of courage, strength, vigor, masculinity

Football as War “In football the object is for the quarterback, also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.”—George Carlin also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.”—George Carlin

“Win one for the Gipper!” Reagan as heroic lifeguard in real life Reagan as heroic lifeguard in real life As Hollywood football hero As Hollywood football hero As POTUS As POTUS

Leadership Lessons: World War II Heroes JFK & PT 109 crew JFK & PT 109 crew Bush 43 in bomber

Teamwork Skills: Managers and Cheerleaders

Athletes in Chief: Presidential Images Displaying courage: Bush 43 at World Series 2001

Strength, Vigor, Masculinity JFK sailing, FDR swimming, RR on horseback JFK sailing, FDR swimming, RR on horseback

When sports backfire on POTUS Fore for Ford; Fore for Ford; Carter collapses; Carter collapses; Obama lands in trap Obama lands in trap

Most unpopular presidents (at end of terms) Nixon and Truman (<25% approval rating) Nixon and Truman (<25% approval rating)

Rating Last Nine Presidents* John F. Kennedy (85%/10%) John F. Kennedy (85%/10%) Ronald Reagan (74% /24%) Ronald Reagan (74% /24%) Bill Clinton (69%/30%) Bill Clinton (69%/30%) George H. W. Bush (64%/34%) George H. W. Bush (64%/34%) Gerald Ford (61%/26%) Gerald Ford (61%/26%) Jimmy Carter (52%/42%) Jimmy Carter (52%/42%) Lyndon B. Johnson (49% /36%) George W. Bush (47%/51% ) Richard Nixon (29%/65%) *2010 Gallup Poll asked Americans if they approved/disapproved

How will Americans judge women candidates on athletic prowess? Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Warren Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Warren

You are an All-Star audience! Go Cards! Go h

Rating JFK: Scholars* (*2013 Nate Silver Composite) 1.Abraham Lincoln 1.Abraham Lincoln 2.Franklin D. Roosevelt 2.Franklin D. Roosevelt 3.George Washington 3.George Washington 4.Theodore Roosevelt 4.Theodore Roosevelt 5.Thomas Jefferson 5.Thomas Jefferson 6.Harry Truman 6.Harry Truman 7.Woodrow Wilson 7.Woodrow Wilson 8.Dwight D. Eisenhower 8.Dwight D. Eisenhower 9.John F. Kennedy 9.John F. Kennedy 10.Ronald Reagan 10.Ronald Reagan 11.James K. Polk 12.Lyndon B. Johnson 13.Andrew Jackson 14.James Monroe 15.James Madison 16.John Adams 17.Barack Obama--Silver 18.Bill Clinton 19.William McKinley 20.John Quincy Adams