Each week our Spotlight Series will focus on a coach or staff member to showcase the incredible talent we have at Ursinus. This week's subject is women's basketball coach Margaret White, who is in her sixth season with the program.
What drew you to Ursinus, and what makes Ursinus unique?
Having gone to Gettysburg, the opportunity to come back to the CC was ideal. I really loved my college experience and how much the CC valued academics and competing at a very high level. What I came to find out about UC during the interview process really sold me, though. This is a place where students work extremely hard and athletics is highly supported all across campus. I have never been on another campus where the athletics department is so close-knit and character-driven. That was really important to me and still is.
What is the best part about coaching at Ursinus?
The students we get to work with. They are very well-rounded, smart, and work extremely hard. They also really value the family atmosphere both on the UC campus and in their personal lives. I really admire that about them.
What's the most difficult thing about coaching?
The losses! Seriously though, I tell our team that we often practice between 70-80 times during the season and play 25 (or a few more if you're in the postseason) games. Basketball is a long season, and that's a lot of work that they put in to preparing for just 25 days out of the year. So if things don't go our way on game day, it can be emotionally tough. The nice thing is we often can erase that feeling the next day in practice or with a win just a couple days later.
What's your most memorable coaching moment at Ursinus?
I have two. The first is when we had CC games at the Palestra a few years ago. We had an awesome crowd of families, students, alumni and staff behind us and we took a conference favorite Gettysburg team into overtime. It was a drama-filled game and we got to experience the excitement of being on the big stage! The second moment was when we beat Muhlenberg at home in the first round CC playoff game in 2018. It was the first time UC had won a playoff game since 2007, so that was a huge accomplishment for the program and a special day for that year's team that had an awesome run to the CC semifinals.
What do you look for in a recruit?
Aside from being a good basketball player, I look for the right UC fit. To me that means that academics come first, they want to be challenged academically and athletically, they are character-driven, and they have a strong work ethic.
What's the one thing you would tell a recruit considering Ursinus?
I would tell them that you get out what you put in. Your time at Ursinus (like many schools) can be a life-changing experience if you want it to be, but it doesn't happen automatically. You need to reach out to people, be open to new experiences, and take some chances.
How has the pandemic changed your outlook on life and coaching?
While I no doubt miss the competition, the silver lining has been that we get to spend time as a team just working on getting better individually and getting closer as a team. We realize not many schools have that opportunity this year, so we are grateful for that.
What would you do if you weren't a coach?
I remember being a senior in college and I had just bought an LSAT prep book when I began to interview for my first job as a graduate assistant coach. So maybe if that call hadn't come through I would have followed through on the LSATs…who knows!
Do you have any coaching role models?
I think I've picked up bits and pieces from coaches I've either played for or worked with. I grew up playing for mostly male coaches, and they were honestly some of the best coaches I've ever been around. Not only were they great teachers of the game, but they were all about helping to grow strong, independent women. I try to pay that message forward.
Do you have any hidden gifts or talents?
I don't know if this is really a talent or just a result of a good education, but at one point (closer to my college days) I was fluent in Spanish. I could read a whole novel in Spanish, knew different dialects, and could watch a movie without subtitles. To this day I still try to test myself with how much I can remember (I will look away from the TV when I see subtitles to try to quiz myself), but the "use it or lose it" concept is a real thing. Someday I'll dedicate some time to re-learning.
What is something most people don't know about you, or would be surprised to learn about you?
I was almost a movie star! I have a twin sister, and when we were babies my parents took us to an audition for the role of the baby in the movie "Three Men and a Baby." As the story goes, they did this just for fun after some encouragement from friends. Well, my sister and I aced the audition and were invited to NYC for the final round…but my mom freaked out and pulled us out of the running! So we'll never know if we could have been the next Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Pretty simple, but I like to spend any free time I have with my nieces and nephew. They are all under the age of 5 and we have a great time together. In a dream world, I'd be sitting under an umbrella at Bethany Beach.
What's one of your guilty pleasures?
Watching Below Deck, Dr. Pimple Popper, or 90 Day Fiancé...I love those shows!
Previous Spotlights
Janelle Benner, Field Hockey Head Coach
Aileen Ascolese, Women's Soccer Head Coach
Joe Jamison, Wrestling Head Coach
Carl Blickle, Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach
Sam Campo, Softball Head Coach
Pete Smith, Men's/Women's Tennis Head Coach