President Obama meets 11-year-old Haley Klepper - story and pics [View all]

[Kadie]

US President Barack Obama greets 11-year-old Haley Klepper during a ceremony honoring the 2012 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Champion Baylor Bears in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, July 18, 2012. The team's so-called biggest fan, Klepper, who suffers from a rare Mitochondrial disease, attends all the team's games and has a reserved spot in the locker room.








July 18, 2012 03:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
National Champion Baylor Lady Bears Bring Along Biggest “Little” Fan to White House Reception with President Obama

First NCAA Basketball Team to Ever Win 40 Games Climbed into Stands to Share Championship with ‘Good Luck Charm’ Haley Klepper


WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ten-year-old Haley Klepper, “adopted” by the 2011-12 NCAA National Champion Baylor Lady Bears basketball team last year, joined the team at a White House afternoon reception Wednesday, July 18.

“The girls were really honored – they love this team as much as the team loves them.”
Haley, the young girl from Waco, Texas, with an infectious smile, her sister Hannah and parents Greg and Brenda were there when President Obama welcomed the Lady Bears to the White House to congratulate them on their historic 40-0 season and NCAA victory. Haley is the team’s self-described “good luck charm.”

“Haley was so excited she could hardly sleep just thinking of meeting the President,” said Greg Klepper, Haley’s father and Texas businessman. “The girls were really honored – they love this team as much as the team loves them.”

Haley baffled doctors for more than six years when, overnight, she began losing her ability to walk, hear and see. Finally, after a multitude of tests and meetings with specialists, doctors diagnosed her condition as a very rare mitochondrial disease, but still don’t know how to treat her.

Last year, Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey heard about the Kleppers’ story and introduced Haley to the team, believing they could learn from each other. Today, Lady Bear fans know Haley and Hannah very well. They have their own locker at Ferrell Center and, when the team cemented their championship in Denver, the players climbed into the stands and brought the girls down on the court to celebrate with them.

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