Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson would not be surprised if there were a special visitor at the Stan Sheriff Center on Sunday.
Robinson, the brother-in-law of President Barack Obama, said as much Monday during teleconference remarks by the eight head coaches set to participate in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Sunday, Monday and Christmas Day.
OSU has played before the president under Robinson — Michelle Obama’s brother — several times in the past few years, usually on the East Coast. That includes a game at Maryland earlier this season.
"My thoughts would be his schedule is so busy we’d be honored if he found time to come to our game," Robinson said. "But I will also say it’s been very rare that we’ve been in the same city together and had a game that he did not show up at. So barring anything unforeseen, I would suspect he’d be in at least one of our games or maybe more."
Various news outlets reported Obama and his family plan to leave for Honolulu on Friday for their sixth straight Christmas here.
OSU opens against Akron at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, on the opposite side of the bracket from host Hawaii. UH plays Boise State in the 8 p.m. nightcap. All four first-round games will be televised on ESPNU.
DHC officials have not been able to confirm Obama’s attendance. Robinson was asked if a surprise appearance would be special for his team.
"Well, for my team it isn’t," he said. "It’s kind of odd to say, but it’s sort of normal, because he’s come to (see us) each year we’ve played in the Washington, D.C., area or Maryland area. … I think what it does, it makes the whole environment just a little bit more electric when he shows up."
The Akron Zips are used to some celebrity — LeBron James occasionally pays visits to his hometown’s college team. But the leader of the free world would transcend that, Akron coach Keith Dambrot said.
"Well, I think anytime somebody of that prominence comes to a game, it’s a thrill for your players and your university and your fans," Dambrot said. "The most famous guy we’ve ever had was LeBron James, so even he can’t compare to the president of the United States."
