Alabama’s Nick Saban taking players to meet President Obama

Alabama’s national championship football team will tour the sights in Washington, D.C., on Monday, including a stop by the White House to meet with President Barack Obama. The White House and University of Alabama on Tuesday confirmed details of the trip, which has been expected since the Crimson Tide beat Texas in the Jan. 7 BCS national championship game. During the day in Washington, there are scheduled stops at the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and National Mall. Alabama’s team will also take part in a service project, meeting with a group of D.C.-area youth and encouraging them to stay in school and discuss the positive impact of making healthy choices, according to the White House. The Crimson Tide will depart Tuscaloosa on Monday morning. Coaches and players will return in time for next Wednesday’s on-campus pro day workouts for NFL draft-eligible players and the start of spring practice, which is scheduled two days later. – Huntsville Times

Most Coaches Support Republicans

American politics are rich with characters and stereotypes–Joe the Plumber, Harry and Louise, Nascar dads and hockey moms, to name a few. But one persistent type hasn’t gotten much attention: the Republican football coach. During the 2008 campaign cycle, college and NFL head coaches (and their wives) contributed a total of $13,286 to John McCain and the Republican National Committee. From that same group, Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee received just $4,600–half of it from Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears and the other half from San Jose State’s Dick Tomey. In all, 20 coaches active in the 2008 season gave to Republican candidates seeking federal office. Three donated to Democrats. This disparity is even more striking given that, among the individual donors in the ‘08 campaign cycle, Mr. Obama outraised Mr. McCain by more than a 5-to-1 margin. – Wall Street Journal