In Brief
His life, leadership, and legacy in intercollegiate athletics
- Kevin White, Ph.D., reflects on his 50-year career in intercollegiate athletics and the publication of his memoir, “The Good Sport: Reflections on a Full Life in College Sports.”
- He shares what compelled him to write his life story and lessons about the importance of education, preparing student-athletes for life on and off the field, and prioritizing the collective good.
- He also offers advice for those in any field seeking to be better leaders, including the power of strong relationships and a high political IQ.
Kevin White has blazed a trail in intercollegiate athletics for over five decades. As the athletics director at several college sports powerhouses, including Tulane University, Duke University, Arizona State University, and the University of Notre Dame, Kevin guided his programs to reach 14 national championships.
A senior adviser in Huron’s intercollegiate athletics business and a professor of business administration at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, Kevin also served in multiple national leadership positions, including the NCAA Council and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) board of directors.
His memoir, “The Good Sport: Reflections on a Full Life in College Sports,” offers an intimate glimpse into his storied career, shaped by family, leadership, and the profound impact of education on his life. We spoke with Kevin about his inspirations, professional milestones, and lessons for leaders in sports and beyond.
Q&A with Kevin White
What motivated you to write “The Good Sport?”
I’d heard from family, friends, and colleagues for years saying, “You need to write [your story] down.” I always brushed it off, but it kept coming up. The tipping point was in 2022 during a trip to Dublin that my friends, family, and former colleagues surprised me and my wife with as a celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. The entire time, conversations kept circling back to the evolution of my life and career.
Eventually, I reached out to a literary agent. Her advice? “Start the book in Dublin.” That celebration became the foundation of my memoir, tying together my personal and professional life — from my Irish roots and family history to my 50 years in intercollegiate athletics. Ultimately, this book became a blend of memoir, lessons learned, leadership principles, and the realities of this profession.
A central theme in your life seems to be education. Why is that?
Education transformed my life — it gave me opportunities that I couldn’t have imagined as the first high school graduate in my family. My parents and my grandparents didn’t have those chances. That’s why, as I reflect, my greatest achievements weren’t championships; they were the academic success of the student-athletes I worked with at universities like Notre Dame and Duke.
At Duke, for example, we were recognized as the top academic-performing athletics department in the country. Achievements like that hit home for me because I know the generational shift education can inspire.
Do you feel your story parallels the experience of today’s student-athletes?
Absolutely. I relate deeply to first-generation college students or those navigating challenging circumstances. Intercollegiate sports don’t just develop players; they develop people. Athletics can be a vehicle for transformation, just like education was for me. I’ve always believed that student-athletes need to be prepared for meaningful, fulfilling lives when the ball stops bouncing — that is when the athletic chapter ends. This has been at the heart of my work for decades.
Your book highlights leadership lessons. What do you believe are the keys to effective leadership?
Two foundational elements stand out to me. First, leadership and corporate politics have a critical, often overlooked relationship. A high political IQ — knowing how to communicate with diverse stakeholders and manage competing interests effectively — is as important as strong leadership skills. I cover this in-depth in the book because it’s a balance many leaders don’t think about enough.
Second, great leadership will always depend on relationships. Throughout my career, I prioritized building meaningful connections, whether with colleagues, coaches, or student-athletes. Those relationships are the backbone of strong leadership and enduring success.
What challenges did you face putting together this memoir?
Writing a memoir is humbling — and challenging. Deciding which stories to include is no small task. Beyond that, the process challenged me to collaborate more closely with my daughter, Maureen, a gifted writer and poet. We didn’t always see eye to eye during the editing process (I can be a bit of a perfectionist). But working with her was one of the most gratifying parts of this experience.
On a broader level, the book also provided an opportunity to honor the people who shaped my life. My parents didn’t have an easy road, but their sacrifices set the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished. I wanted to memorialize their stories and show what resiliency and hard work can achieve.
What advice would you give to athletic directors looking to thrive in today’s landscape?
This is a pivotal time for intercollegiate athletics, and it requires clear priorities. I’d suggest focusing on three things. First, be present. Leadership teams need to actively engage with their institutions and student-athletes to make thoughtful, informed decisions.
Second, reintegrate practitioners into leadership decisions. We need experienced voices — those who’ve walked the walk — to guide college athletics through the complexities we’re facing now.
Finally, focus on the greater good. Too often, decisions are made from a place of institutional self-interest. To truly ensure the sustainability of college athletics, we need to operate with a collective purpose.
Your passion for intercollegiate athletics is clear. Any closing thoughts?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live this life — a first-generation kid from New York who went on to represent world-class institutions and work with thousands of student-athletes. Writing this book helped me reflect on everything I’ve learned, from the power of education to the importance of relationships. My hope is that this book inspires others — whether they’re in sports or any other field — to focus on what really matters.
Order "The Good Sport"
Whether you’re an athletic director, an emerging leader, or someone simply looking for inspiring life lessons, Kevin White’s memoir, “The Good Sport: Reflections on a Full Life in College Sports,” provides a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, leadership, and education.