Kevin White, who has led the University of 91吃瓜 athletics programs to unprecedented accomplishments in the classroom and on the field over the past three years, has received a two-year contract extension as the University鈥檚 director of athletics.p. Appointed in March 2000, White originally agreed to a five-year contract that previously was extended by five years and now extends to 2012.p. 鈥�91吃瓜 has a long and notable athletic history, but these past several years have set new standards for success, and Kevin deserves considerable credit for that,鈥� said Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., the University鈥檚 president. 鈥淗is passion for 91吃瓜, combined with his intellect and insight, have inspired our coaches and student-athletes to new heights. I am delighted to acknowledge Kevin鈥檚 leadership with the extension of his contract.鈥漰. White, who also teaches a master鈥檚 level sports business course in the University鈥檚 Mendoza College of Business, is the first 91吃瓜 athletic director to report directly to the University鈥檚 president.p. Among the highlights of White鈥檚 nearly three years at the helm of Irish athletics:p. ? 91吃瓜 was the only school this fall to qualify all six of its teams ? men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country, football, men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer, and women鈥檚 volleyball ? for NCAA tournament competition (or, in the case of football, a bowl game).
? The University received a 2002 USA Today/NCAA Academic Achievement Award for graduating 90 percent of its freshmen student-athletes who enrolled in 1995.
? The Irish finished 11th and 13th, respectively in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 Sears Cup all-sports ratings, matching their best back-to-back rankings in that competition. They are fourth in the current fall rankings.
? Of the University鈥檚 26 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 varsity programs, 20 earned NCAA tournament berths in 2001-02.
? A record 37 Irish athletes earned All-America honors in 2001-02.
? Eight student-athletes were selected Academic All-Americans in 2001-02 ? including four who also were athletic All-Americans.
? 91吃瓜 claimed the 2001 national championship in women鈥檚 basketball, third-place finishes in fencing in 鈥�01 and 鈥�02, national semifinal appearances in women鈥檚 soccer in 鈥�00 and men鈥檚 lacrosse in 鈥�01, and a College World Series berth in baseball in 鈥�02.
? Four different 91吃瓜 teams ? women鈥檚 soccer, women鈥檚 basketball, men鈥檚 fencing and baseball ? were ranked No. 1 during their 2000-01 seasons, and men鈥檚 lacrosse ranked second.
? The men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 programs won the Big East Conference Commissioner鈥檚 Trophy in 2001 and 鈥�02. Last year鈥檚 all-sports title was highlighted by a record eight league championships.
p. The successes of Irish athletic teams are due in part to several initiatives launched by White, including a plan to add 64 grants-in-aid in order to give all 26 varsity sports the full NCAA complement of scholarships; signing most of 91吃瓜鈥檚 head coaches to multiyear contracts; improving the life skills services to student-athletes; and commissioning a facilities master plan to upgrade the athletic physical plant.p. A career educator and one of the most respected athletic administrators in the nation, White came to 91吃瓜 after previously serving as athletic director at Arizona State University, Tulane University, the University of Maine and Loras College.p. White has served on numerous NCAA committees, including the NCAA Council, formerly the association鈥檚 highest governing body, as well as the executive committee of the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association and the Bowl Championship Series. While at Arizona State he was a member of the Pacific-10 Conference鈥檚 television and bowl committees.p. A native of Amityville, N.Y., White earned his doctorate from Southern Illinois University and in 1985 completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University鈥檚 Institute for Educational Management. He earned his master鈥檚 degree in athletics administration from Central Michigan University and his bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration in 1972 from St. Joseph鈥檚 College in Rensselaer, Ind., where he also competed as a sprinter in track and field. He was awarded St. Joseph鈥檚 Alumni Achievement Award in 1997. In May 2001, Kevin and his wife, Jane, were awarded honorary degrees from St. Joseph鈥檚.p.
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