WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has congratulated the 2009 U.S. Naval Academy football team for winning its seventh consecutive Commander in Chief trophy.

Obama welcomed the Midshipmen to the East Room of the White House on Monday for the trophy presentation. It is awarded annually to the winner of the competition among the three major service academies — the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

Obama said he was proud to hear about a toy drive in which the Navy team raised $1,700 and bought, wrapped and delivered toys to four needy families during a blizzard last winter. He said each member's willingness to put others before themselves sets the Navy team and all the service academies apart from the rest.