The second-longest tenured head coach of any sport in the history of Union College, Tom White finished his 31st season as head coach of the Union men's and women's crew teams in 2024-25. He was honored with the Liberty League Men's Coaching Staff of the Year Award in 2012.
Since taking over the then-club crew teams in 1994, White has guided the programs to many new achievements both on and off the water. Out of the boat, White has spearheaded several major improvements to the program, including the recent renovation of the Boathouse on the Mohawk River and the creation of an indoor rowing facility inside Alumni Gym that was unveiled in 2020. In May 2024, the program added a new shell for the Women's 4+, Gratia Motus, and a new shell, Ajax, for the Men's Varsity 8+.
On the water during the 2021-22 season, the men's team earned the first national ranking in recent program history from the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association, while the women's team captured the novice 4 title at the Liberty League Championships for the second time in program history. In total, a program-record four Union rowers earned All-Liberty League honors as well.
The Union women's team nearly joined the men's team in receiving a national ranking during the 2020-21 campaign, placing second among teams receiving votes in the Pocock CRCA Div. III National Poll after winning their first three varsity 8 races of the spring. White led the team to a pair of Liberty League Boat of the Week honors (Oct. 13, Oct. 27). His Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight crews won a combined six races (three each) and the 2V8 squad defeated Hamilton to capture the Gilman Bowl. Elliot Ern was named to the All-Liberty League Team and Union recorded the most selections (14) to the Liberty League All-Academic Team.
In 2014-15, White guided the Garnet to seven race wins (Varsity Eight-2, Novice Eight-1, Varsity Four-2, Novice Four-2). Union won the Varsity Eight Petite Final at the New York State Championships and captured Liberty League Boat of the Week honors (Oct. 13). The program also placed nine student-athletes on the Liberty League All-Academic Team while Maggie Hoffman was chosen to the All-Liberty League squad.
The 2013-14 seasons produced many highlights as well. White guided the Dutchmen to seven wins. The Varsity Eights went 3-1 at home, which included a dual win over Rensselaer on the Mohawk River. The V8s were also honored as Liberty League Boat of the Week (April 7). The Second Varsity Eights won four races on the year, including a road victory over Hamilton that brought the Gilman Bowl back to Schenectady. White also worked with senior Greg Brenn, who earned All-Liberty League Team honors. The men's squad excelled in the classroom as well, placing a league-high 12 student-athletes on the Liberty League All-Academic Team.
The Union women posted seven first-place finishes in five different events (V8-3, 2V8-1, N8-1, V4-1, 2V4-1). The 2V8 squad earned Liberty League Boat of the Week honors (April 14). Just two weeks into the season, Elizabeth Asch and Emma Webb earned a bronze medal in the Varsity Doubles at the Head of the Schuylkill. White was instrumental in the development of senior Lauren Hafkemeyer, who earned All-Liberty League Team honors after starting her athletic career at Union as a soccer player. The women's squad had 10 student-athletes named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team.
Both squads' performances at the season-ending New York State Championships earned Union the Most Improved Team Award.
In addition to his two decades of coaching experience, White is an outstanding rower in his own right. He was a member of the U.S. National Team that won a silver medal at the 1988 World Championships. White also is a five-time United States Rowing Association National Champion and has medaled five times at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta.
A native of Rotterdam, N.Y., White rowed collegiately at Northeastern University, graduating with a degree in economics in 1987.
Tom and his wife, Christine, have five children: Curtis, Emma, Sarah, Anna and Harrison. Emma graduated from Union in 2019 and won a bronze medal in Track Pursuit at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Harrison graduated from Union in 2024 and earned All-Liberty League honors for the crew team in 2021-22.
