Temple University Athletics
Crew's Dr. Gavin R. White Named USRowing Man of the Year
9.23.16 | Men's Crew
PHILADELPHIA – Temple men's crew coach emeritus, Dr. Gavin R. White, has been named USRowing's 2016 Man of the Year. White retired this spring after a 37-year career as head coach of the Owls. He will be honored at the 2016 USRowing Annual Awards Ceremony held on December 3 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch in Springfield Mass.
"I am humbled and so honored to receive this prestigious award," said White. "Rowing has given me and my family so much joy; I feel I have already been honored to have played a small part in this beautiful sport. I want to thank all of my assistant coaches who have helped create all the success we have experienced at Temple, all of the young men and women who I have had the pleasure to work with at Temple and internationally. Lastly I would like to thank my father, Gavin, my wife, Jane and my family without their love and support none of this would be possible."
"Man of the Year truly epitomizes Gavin White," said Temple University Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "Not only for his dedication and service to our rowers over the past 37 years but, more importantly, for being a tremendous role model to the student-athletes in his program. This is a great day for not just Temple Crew, but for the Philadelphia rowing community."
Under his guidance, Temple crew achieved distinction both nationally and internationally. His boats won 20 Dad Vail Regatta Varsity 8 titles, including an impressive 13 consecutive titles from 1989-2001. White also led the Owls to seven invitations to Great Britain's premiere regatta, the renowned Royal Henley Regatta (1983-86, 1989, 1990, 1994). In Temple's seven appearances, White's crews qualified to the grand final once (1984) and into the quarterfinals four times (1985, 1990, 1993, 1994).
After serving as an assistant for three seasons, White became only the second head coach in Temple crew history. He succeeded Curran in 1979 and was the men's coach until 2016, with the exception of the 1984-85 season when he took a sabbatical to work on a doctoral degree, which he received from Temple in 1986.
Honored as the 2003 Schuylkill Navy Coach of the Year, White coached the men's four at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where his crew finished fifth in the finals. A five-time U.S. National Rowing Team coach, White also coached the men's pair with coxswain to the gold medal at the 2003 FISA World Rowing Championships in Milan, Italy.
Many of White's Temple rowers have gone on to success in international competition, including Olympians Jason Read (Gold, USA Eight, 2004 Olympics), Igor Francetic (Bronze, Croatian Eight, 2000 Olympics), and Scott Brodie '94 (Canadian Eight, 1996 Olympics), and World Champion, Chris Kerber '92 (USA Lightweight). White has also placed numerous rowers on the USA National Team.
Before taking his talents to the shores as a coach, White was a member of the Temple University crew for three years (1971-73), graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education. As a senior he was honored with the Club's Most Valuable Rower Award. White was also a member of the Temple basketball team as a freshman during the 1969-70 season. After Temple, White went on to receive a master's degree in physical education from the University of Maryland.
In 1985, White was inducted into the Temple Athletic Hall of Fame. The son of retired Temple Athletic Director, Gavin White, Jr., he resides in Abington, Pa., with his wife, Jane and their two children, Elizabeth and Gavin Michael.
The full USRowing article on the announcement of the award is available at: http://usrowing.org/
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"I am humbled and so honored to receive this prestigious award," said White. "Rowing has given me and my family so much joy; I feel I have already been honored to have played a small part in this beautiful sport. I want to thank all of my assistant coaches who have helped create all the success we have experienced at Temple, all of the young men and women who I have had the pleasure to work with at Temple and internationally. Lastly I would like to thank my father, Gavin, my wife, Jane and my family without their love and support none of this would be possible."
"Man of the Year truly epitomizes Gavin White," said Temple University Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "Not only for his dedication and service to our rowers over the past 37 years but, more importantly, for being a tremendous role model to the student-athletes in his program. This is a great day for not just Temple Crew, but for the Philadelphia rowing community."
Under his guidance, Temple crew achieved distinction both nationally and internationally. His boats won 20 Dad Vail Regatta Varsity 8 titles, including an impressive 13 consecutive titles from 1989-2001. White also led the Owls to seven invitations to Great Britain's premiere regatta, the renowned Royal Henley Regatta (1983-86, 1989, 1990, 1994). In Temple's seven appearances, White's crews qualified to the grand final once (1984) and into the quarterfinals four times (1985, 1990, 1993, 1994).
After serving as an assistant for three seasons, White became only the second head coach in Temple crew history. He succeeded Curran in 1979 and was the men's coach until 2016, with the exception of the 1984-85 season when he took a sabbatical to work on a doctoral degree, which he received from Temple in 1986.
Honored as the 2003 Schuylkill Navy Coach of the Year, White coached the men's four at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where his crew finished fifth in the finals. A five-time U.S. National Rowing Team coach, White also coached the men's pair with coxswain to the gold medal at the 2003 FISA World Rowing Championships in Milan, Italy.
Many of White's Temple rowers have gone on to success in international competition, including Olympians Jason Read (Gold, USA Eight, 2004 Olympics), Igor Francetic (Bronze, Croatian Eight, 2000 Olympics), and Scott Brodie '94 (Canadian Eight, 1996 Olympics), and World Champion, Chris Kerber '92 (USA Lightweight). White has also placed numerous rowers on the USA National Team.
Before taking his talents to the shores as a coach, White was a member of the Temple University crew for three years (1971-73), graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education. As a senior he was honored with the Club's Most Valuable Rower Award. White was also a member of the Temple basketball team as a freshman during the 1969-70 season. After Temple, White went on to receive a master's degree in physical education from the University of Maryland.
In 1985, White was inducted into the Temple Athletic Hall of Fame. The son of retired Temple Athletic Director, Gavin White, Jr., he resides in Abington, Pa., with his wife, Jane and their two children, Elizabeth and Gavin Michael.
The full USRowing article on the announcement of the award is available at: http://usrowing.org/
WATCH
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