Wayne State University Athletics

White, a native of Ecorse, Michigan, and graduate of Ecorse HS, served as Wayne State University's head athletic trainer for 37 years. He retired as head trainer and associate professor of health education and physical education on July 1, 1988. Known affectionately as "Doc," White had worked with hundreds of Wayne State student-athletes since joining the Tartar Athletic staff on September 3, 1951, as well as students from the metropolitan Detroit schools, and professional athletes for various Detroit teams. A nationally recognized instructor in athletic training and injuries, White has taught trainers who now hold training positions on the professional, collegiate and prep ranks. Along with his duties at Wayne State, White worked with several Detroit-area professional teams. From 1946-1960, White was the summer and home game assistant trainer for the NFL's Detroit Lions. From 1957 to 1985, White was a consultant trainer for the Pistons, and in the 1960s and 1970s was hired by the Pistons to service their home games as the visitor's trainer, since trainers in the NBA at that time did not travel. He also was head trainer of the Detroit Loves of the former Professional Tennis League in 1974. Other stints as an athletic trainer included the 18 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Detroit and sponsored by the University of Michigan. He was the only head trainer to head the NCAA's while they were conducted in Detroit. White's work with track and field athletes was recognized internationally when he was selected as the team trainer for the United States' track team at the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics. He also served as team trainer for the United States' team at the 1974 Moscow World University Games. He was a founding member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, and in 1986 was named a lifetime member of the Michigan Athletic Trainers Association. He was elected to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1977, the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, and selected by Eastern Michigan for an Alumni Honors Award in 1969. White has also served as a member of the prestigious NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. He served as president of District IV of the NATA, and has authored articles for Athletic Journals and Athletic Training News. After graduating from Ecorse HS in 1943, White served two years in the U.S. Navy Air Corp during World War II. Upon leaving the service White enrolled at Eastern Michigan, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1949. He lettered for the Hurons in football twice (1947048) as a center, and it was while a student at EMU he took up athletic training. He served as head trainer at Eastern Michigan from 1950-51 before joining Wayne's staff. White earned a Master's degree in 1950 from Michigan, where he served as a graduate student trainer from 1949-50. He is a gifted semi-professional magician, spending many hours making appearances at banquets and parties. White's magic shows were a hit with Wayne State student-athletes over the years, particularly on the longer road trips. White and his wife, Gloria, reside in Dearborn, Michigan, and are the parents of four children, daughters Lynda, Nancy and Susan, and son David.