Dr.Gavin R. White - Men's Crew Coach

Dr.Gavin R. White

Title:
Head Coach

Dr. Gavin R. White is in his 28th season as head coach of the Temple University men's crew program. Under his guidance, the Owls have earned international distinction with seven invitations to Great Britain's premiere regatta, the renowned Royal Henley Regatta (1983-86, 1989, 1990, 1994). In Temple's seven appearances, White has led the Owls to the Grand Finale once (1984) and into the quarterfinals four times (1985, 1990, 1993,1994). White continues the city of Philadelphia's tradition of quality rowing this season with an impressive roster of athletes. His boats have won 15 of the last 16 Dad Vail Regatta varsity eight titles. The Owls had won 13 consecutive titles from 1989-2001 prior to placing second to Dowling in 2002. After serving as an assistant for three seasons, White became only the second head coach in Temple crew history. He succeeded Tom "Bear" Curran in 1979 and has been the men's coach ever since, 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. White also holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Temple and a master's degree in physical education from the University of Maryland. Under White, Temple crew's commitment to excellence is evident as the squad maintains an unparalleled dominance of the Dad Vail Regatta. The Owls have won 19 of the last 21 Dad Vail finals. White has built his crew program around Philadelphia area rowers who are rich in both talent and motivation. He has also expanded his recruiting efforts to places like Canada, Croatia, and Ireland. White, honored as the 2003 Schuykill Navy Coach of the Year, coached the men's four at the 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney. The crew finished fifth in the final. A five-time U.S. National Rowing Team coach, White 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. Oarsman Igor Francetic, 1996 Nation's Cup Champion for Croatia, earned a gold medal at the Senior "B" World Championships in 1997. Francetic captured the gold for Croatia in the Under-23 World Championships during the summer of 1999. Francetic earned a bronze medal as a member of the Croatian Men's Eight in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He was also a member of the Croatian Men's Eight that captured gold at World Cup Munich 2000. Jason Read was also a member of that 1997 U.S. Nation's Cup squad. Read then earned a silver medal at the 1998 U.S. Nation's Cup in Greece and a gold medal at the Under-23 World Championships in Hamburg, Germany. He also picked up a silver medal at the 2003 World Rowing Championships. Chris Kerber, a 1992 graduate, was a world champion in 1993 and again in 2000; and Scott Brodie, a 1994 graduate, was a member of the Canadian Olympic Eight in Atlanta. Besides being a winning coach, White was a member of the Temple University crew for three years (1971-73). As a senior he was honored with the Club's Most Valuable Rower Award. He was also a member of the Temple basketball team as a freshman during the 1969-70 season. In 1985, White was inducted into the Temple Athletic Hall of Fame. White, who is the son of retired Temple Athletic Director, Gavin White, Jr., resides in Abington, Pa., with his wife, Jane and their two children, Elizabeth, 22, and Gavin Michael, a freshman at Temple.