As the waning seconds ticked off the clock in last night’s NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game, we — like any tech-savvy Duke fans — took to Twitter to watch the praise (and a little criticism) pour in from around the globe. Clearly we were not alone, as ‘Duke’ was still trending world-wide as of lunchtime Tuesday. Former players, celebrities, ecstatic alumni, and – yes – even federal officials chimed in with commentary on the night’s game. ICYMI, don’t worry, here’s a cheat sheet of how lawmakers said congratulations to the Duke University men’s basketball team — the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champions.
Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Duke’s representative in Congress, tweeted a quick congrats to the team:
Congratulations to both teams on an extraordinary game! #GoDuke pic.twitter.com/YsOHrpo7aX
— G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield) April 7, 2015
Then sent a friendly reminder to Representative Mark Pocan (R-WI), who represents Wisconsin’s campus, of their Monday afternoon wager.
.@repmarkpocan #GoDuke #NCAAChampions #NC01 pic.twitter.com/OqN04wfcOJ — G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield) April 7, 2015
Duke faculty member Rep. David E. Price (D-NC) gave a nod to the three weeks of outstanding basketball:
Congrats to @DukeU for winning its fifth Men’s Basketball National Championship – a fitting end to a thrilling tournament! #MarchMadness — David E. Price (@RepDavidEPrice) April 7, 2015
Both Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) pointed out that, contrary to some rumors, Duke really does lie in North Carolina (not New Jersey):
Proud that this year’s #NCAATournament Champs call North Carolina home – great work last night @dukeblueplanet #MarchMadness
— Richard Burr (@SenatorBurr) April 7, 2015
Congrats to Coach K and the Blue Devils! The #NCAAChampionship is heading back to North Carolina! #MarchMadness
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) April 7, 2015
Then there are those members of Congress who are also members of the Duke alumni family, Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA, T ’80) and Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL, T ’77):
Congrats to NCAA men’s basketball champions @Duke_MBB!
— Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) April 7, 2015
So proud of my alma mater, @DukeU, on winning the 2015 National Championship! Great job by Coach K and the whole team!
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) April 7, 2015
And while the Blue Devils busted President Obama’s bracket, his former opponent Mitt Romney (who will visit Duke later this week) wished he would have bet bigger on the team:
Should have put $10,000 on my bracket. Congrats, Coach K and @DukeU.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 7, 2015