Kevin White Position: Director of Athletics Institution: University of Notre Dame

Kevin White was appointed director of athletics at the University of Notre Dame in 2000. One of the most progressive and talented administrators in the intercollegiate athletics ranks, he has quickly attached his signature as director, with his first seven years qualifying as the most successful across-the-board years in the history of athletics at Notre Dame.

In addition, he has been cast in a handful of prominent national roles within collegiate athletics - including his ongoing representation with the Bowl Championship Series, his service in 2006-07 as president of NACDA (the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) and in 2005-06 as president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association. He also is part of the steering committee for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

A career educator and one of the most respected athletic administrators in the nation, Dr. White previously had been athletic director at Arizona State University, Tulane University, the University of Maine, and Loras College. He brought a combined 18 years (1982-83 to 1999-2000) of experience in those positions with him to his assignment at Notre Dame.

In addition to the varsity athletic component, Dr. White's assignment at Notre Dame also includes administration of a comprehensive intramural, club sport and campus recreation program, with 95 percent of the student body participating. Sports Illustrated On Campus rated the Irish intramural program tops in the nation in '04.

Born Sept. 25, 1950, in Amityville, N.Y., Dr. White earned his doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University in 1983 with an emphasis on higher education administration In 1985 he completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management. He earned his master's degree in athletics administration from Central Michigan University in 1976 and his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972 from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind., where he also competed as a sprinter in track and field.

Dr. White's wife, Jane, earned a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's in 1973 and a master's degree in physical education from Central Michigan in 1977. The couple have five children - Maureen, Michael, Daniel, Brian, and Mariah.