Donny White Position: Director of Athletics Institution: Virginia Military Institute

Athletic Director Donny White is in his ninth year at Virginia Military Institute. In that time, he has built support for intercollegiate athletics among the VMI community and its alumni. His effort has resulted in a change in conference affiliation, increased funding for operations, the development of women's athletics, and a better overall competitive environment for VMI sports. White returned to the Institute on Apr. 22, 1998, after serving six successful years as athletics director at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Va.

White compiled a distinguished VMI coaching career in two sports spanning 15 years. He joined the football staff of Bob Thalman in 1971 as a defensive backfield coach and helped lead the Keydets to two Southern Conference Championships and a State Championship in 1977.

In the fall of 1981, White became VMI head baseball coach and began to resurrect a program that had not won a Southern Conference game the three previous years. His 1982 debut squad compiled six league wins and White was named Southern Conference Co-Coach of the Year. At that time, White also taught on the Physical Education staff as an assistant professor.

White entered private business in 1987, but returned to the athletic ranks in 1992 when he accepted the athletic director position at Patrick Henry. White supervised all areas of the Patriot athletic program and helped improve facilities, season ticket sales, and booster club membership.

White is a 1965 graduate of VMI with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. As a cadet, he was a Distinguished Military Student, named Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was awarded the Pres. Brown Athletic Cup for excellence. White co-captained the 1964 VMI football team and was selected All-Southern Conference in baseball for three consecutive years as a shortstop while also leading the team in batting. He was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

After graduation from VMI, White was commissioned as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.

White and his wife, Bettie, reside in Lexington.