March 14, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After an intensive search, Notre Dame announced that Dr. Kevin White would replace Mike Wadsworth in the role of athletic director.

University President Edward Malloy held a press conference on Monday afternoon to relay the news.

“One name kept coming up from multiple sources, and we were fortunate enough to be able to pursue him as a candidate,” Malloy said.

The athletic department underwent some changes in early February. At the time, Wadsworth announced that he would part ways with the University. Also Malloy announced at that time, that he would oversee the athletic department.

For the past 13 years, the executive vice president, William Beauchamp was in charge of the athletic department. From now on, the athletic director will report directly to Malloy. All of these changes come from the NCAA placing the University on probation for the first time in school history.

“My vision is fairly simple,” he said. “It’s all about the student-athlete. And if we do a good job of taking care of all the interests and needs of the student-athlete, everything else will take care of itself.”

White comes to Notre Dame from Arizona State University, where he revamped the Sun Devils athletic programs. He took over a program, which had a $3 million dollar deficit and turned it around in just two short years.

He also served in the role of athletic director at Tulane, the University of Maine and Loras College in Iowa.

White graduated from St. Joseph’s College. He attained his master’s degree in athletic administration from Central Michigan and a doctorate degree in education from Southern Illinois.

White is expected to step into his role of athletic director in mid-April.