They took the time to write about themselves, their families, their school. All of the letters were done so willingly by the students. They weren't told what to write. They did it on their own.

After I returned to school, we received a large manila envelope filled with letters written back to several of our students. I hope it is the beginning of an ongoing pen-pal relationship.

None of them are confirmed and, as a precaution, we asked the school district to send the letters to parents as an alert to the symptoms of mumps of their children.

I know you receive many letters like this, and I recognize that over time they must come to seem fairly routine, ... Please understand, however, that my years in your service will always be very special to me. The inspiration you have given me will burn brightly in my heart long after I have left the lights of the White House behind.

Any time you have national letters of intent come in, you're always nervous that the fax machine may be broken or anything along those lines. This signing today is unique because I think we've got every position filled. There aren't many times in college basketball you have that opportunity.

You get all these things, there are all these letters and gifts, sometimes strange ones; most of the time it can be really nice. But at the same time, it's overwhelming. Because I know I'm going to have to look through it. Most of it is filling the corners of my house and I can't respond to it all right away.