Hoop, There He Is: President Obama Attends Oregon State-GW Game

November 28, 2009 10:38 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Barack Obama, who hosted the Oregon State basketball team Friday, returned the favor Saturday by traveling four blocks from the White House to watch the Beavers play Washington State at the Smith Center.

It was also part of family support to the Beavers by Obama, who is the brother-in-law of OSU's head men's basketball coach Craig Robinson.

Robinson is the older brother of First Lady Michelle Obama, who accompanied the President to the game.

The first couple, along with their two children, Malia and Sasha and President's Obama's mother-in-law, Marian, entered the arena at 1:51 pm EST and were seated directly behind Oregon State's bench.

Robinson's two children, who stayed at the White House during the Beaver's visit, also arrived with the first family.

The struggling Beavers (2-3) went on to topple George Washington (4-1) 64-57.

Obama's attendance at the basketball game, which is considered a milestone, also bolsters his commitment of embracing his role as America's No. 1 sports fan.

The last time a sitting president watched a GW basketball contest was in 1995, when Bill Clinton watched a double-header of the men's and women's squad.

Obama, 48, plays basketball and golf most weekends.

Since taking office in January 2009, Obama has hosted at the White House at least nine sports teams from the current Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh Steelers to soccer's Columbus Crew.

His predecessor George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was also a sports fan. The former Governor of Texas was once the managing partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.

Bush, accompanied by his wife, Laura, watched a Baylor University Women's basketball game in Waco, Texas, one his first appearances since the inauguration.