Never Giving Up Pays Off for '83 Pack

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A day that had been 33 years in the making for the 1983 NC State men's basketball team finally took place Monday as the legendary national-championship squad made its long-awaited visit to the White House. For a team that knows a lot about making dreams come true, it turned this dream into a reality with a heartfelt letter that read, Dear Mr. President...

In attendance: Harold Thompson, Thurl Bailey, Tommy DiNardo, Sidney Lowe, Cozell McQueen, Ernie Myers, Terry Gannon, Dereck Whittenburg, Walt Densmore, George McClain, Mike Warren, Max Perry (former graduate assistant), Jim Rehbock (former trainer), Beverly Sparks (former basketball secretary), Quinton Leonard IV (son of Quinton Leonard), Pam Valvano (wife of Jim Valvano), Jamie Valvano, Lee Ann Valvano, Nicole Valvano (daughters of Jim Valvano)

So excited for this opportunity! @POTUS with the '83 Pack! pic.twitter.com/xkQln6YRAD
— Dereck Whittenburg (@DWhittNCstate) May 9, 2016

Ready to visit the White House. 1983 @PackMensBball #WRAL pic.twitter.com/jXFJ8fQDRt
— Jeff Gravley (@jgravleyWRAL) May 9, 2016

A chunk of the Cardiac Pack ready to hit the White House. That's one of V's grandsons in the middle. pic.twitter.com/H2p5tw1Nse
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) May 9, 2016

.@PackMensBball 1983 dressed up for the White House visit. pic.twitter.com/yIdsTLaPK9
— Jeff Gravley (@jgravleyWRAL) May 9, 2016

SI cover shot pic.twitter.com/DjpOuX20r8
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) May 9, 2016

Ready for special delivery to @BarackObama @PackMensBball #WRAL pic.twitter.com/mVaWDsNfSI
— Jeff Gravley (@jgravleyWRAL) May 9, 2016

Whitt: 'It's ironic that I'll be passing to the President.' pic.twitter.com/oPUU2wi89R
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) May 9, 2016

Taking questions with my brothers outside the West Wing of the White House! #NCState pic.twitter.com/8JTBc7t6SI
— Dereck Whittenburg (@DWhittNCstate) May 9, 2016

Meet the president. #WRAL pic.twitter.com/EVJtXTzT7E
— Jeff Gravley (@jgravleyWRAL) May 9, 2016

'It was like an out of body experience,' said @bigTbailey. The President told the team 'you guys look like you could still ball.'
— NC State Athletics (@PackAthletics) May 9, 2016

Sid: 'Growing up in DC, I never would've imagined being here.' pic.twitter.com/iApBtFKEqJ
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) May 9, 2016

Sidney Lowe tells @WhiteHouse media that the most special thing about today was that @BarackObama also met the team's wives and families.
— NC State Athletics (@PackAthletics) May 9, 2016

NC State @PackMensBball legend Cozell McQueen proudly displays his book autographed by the 44th #POTUS @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/eAcHjqOcYp
— Pack Pride (@PackPride) May 9, 2016

33 years later, the '83 NCAA Champion @PackMensBball finally get to the @WhiteHouse https://t.co/7jdMk2G04C pic.twitter.com/L6Uny7CG5K
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) May 9, 2016

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