Committee names Kevin White new athletic director
By BRIAN BURKE
News Writer
The overhaul of the Notre Dame athletic department, begun with the resignation of Athletic Director Michael Wadsworth and the removal of Father William Beauchamp from all athletic duties, was completed March 13 when Kevin White was brought aboard as the new athletic director.
"Kevin White is among the elite members of his profession, with a breadth of experience and a record of accomplishment that few can match," Father Edward Malloy said in a press conference introducing White.
White, formerly the Arizona State Athletic director, will take the reins of the athletic department April 17 and will become Notre Dame's first athletic director to report directly to the university president.
White has a wealth of experience in athletics administration. Before holding the athletic director position at ASU from 1996 to the present, White headed the athletic programs at Tulane from 1991-96, the University of Maine from 1987-1991 and Loras College in Dubuque, La. from 1982-1987.
During White's five-year tenure at Tulane, the men's basketball team advanced to the post season each year despite a point shaving schedule which had temporarily disbanded the program.
He enjoyed more success at Arizona State as the Sun Devils rose from No. 23 in the Sears Director' Cup rankings, which ranks schools taking into account all sports, to No. 12. White also turned a $3 million athletic department deficit in 1996 into a $1 million surplus by the end of 1998. At the same time, he increased the athletic operating budget of $16.7 million to $26 million.
From 1998-1999 223 Arizona State student-athletes earned a 3.0 grade point average or better, demonstrating White's ability to implement effective academic programs for student athletes.
Comfortable with his position at Arizona State, White was not necessarily looking for a change, but found the Notre Dame job too good to pass up.
"Notre Dame is a special, special place." White said. "To be sure, our family is extremely excited by this kind and generous invitation to join the most celebrated university community in the world."
"Personally speaking, I am both terribly flattered and honored to be offered this very special opportunity to lead the Irish athletic program into the new millennium," he continued.
White had no comment on the current state of specific sports at Notre Dame until he is able to examine them closely. He did, however, express enthusiasm about the rising men's basketball team as well as the excellent tournament performances of the women's basketball team in recent years.
In the search for an athletic director, the University looked for a candidate with experience and an understanding of Notre Dame values.
"Equally important, and despite the fact that he has no previous Notre Dame connection, he is one of those people with a deep personal affinity for this University and its tradition," Malloy said. "We are delighted to make him an official member of the Notre Dame family."
In addition to his duties as Arizona State's athletic director, White has also been involved with numerous athletic committees.
White has served on the NCAA Council, formerly the association's highest governing body, and was also the chairman of the Pacific-10 Conference's television and Bowl committee while at Arizona State.
An Amityville, N.Y. native, White received his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972 from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. where he also was a sprinter for the track and field team. He then went on to earn a master's degree in athletics administration from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois. Committee names Kevin White new athletic director
All News Stories for Tuesday, March 21, 2000
