NEW ORLEANS, LA-The University of Kentucky beat the University of Kansas Mon. night 67 to 59 to win its eighth NCAA men's basketball championship.

The Kansas Jayhawks have won three NCAA championships and the Kentucky Wildcats had won seven before their anticipated victory in New Orleans this week .

According to a White House press release to Cleveland Urban News.Com, President Barack Obama congratulated Uof K coach John Calipari, his team, and player Anthony Davis, who won the Final Four most outstanding player award.

"The President told Coach Calipari that his team played with class and dignity, and that it was a great game to watch," the press release said. "Coach Calipari passed the phone to Anthony Davis, and the president congratulated the Chicago native on earning the Final Four most outstanding player award."

A predominantly White university in Lexington, Ky., the school's athletic venue has come along way since Blacks were not allowed to play basketball under then U of K basketball coach  Adolph Rupp in the 1960s.

Reach Journalist Kathy Wray Coleman at editor@clevelandurbannews.com and phone number: 216-932-3114.