[su_spacer size=”40″] The N4A annually presents the award to “a member who has demonstrated significant leadership, steadfast dedication, and a high level of service to the Association as recognized by their peers.” Selection is based on individuals who have served in N4A leadership positions at the regional or national level and contributions above and beyond the normal service required by those positions of leadership.
[su_spacer size=”40″] White has overseen UGA’s Rankin M. Smith, Sr., Student-Athlete Academic Center since May 2006. He is responsible for the athletic association’s academic support staff and its efforts for UGA’s student-athletes in all 21 intercollegiate sports. White also serves as sport facilitator for Georgia’s baseball and equestrian programs.
[su_spacer size=”40″] During White’s tenure, the graduation success rate (GSR) for Georgia’s student-athletes has risen from 64 percent to 84 percent. Included that span are increases of 41 percent to 82 percent among football players from 2005 to 2013 and from 19 percent to 71 percent among men’s basketball players from 2005 to 2014.
[su_spacer size=”40″] This spring, UGA’s student-athletes posted a 3.05 graph point average and since 2011, the combined GPA is 3.01. Prior to 2009, UGA student-athletes had never earned a term average of 3.0 or higher.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In addition, since White came to Athens Georgia has produced 40 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in seven different sports.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Prior to arriving in Athens, White served as Director of the Academic Center for Student-Athletes at LSU for three years, as Director of Academic Support at the University of California, Berkeley and as Coordinator of Academics and Eligibility at the University of California, Davis.
[su_spacer size=”40″] White earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of California, San Diego, where he was a member of the baseball team, and a master’s in sport management from the University of Richmond.