Kerri White, former Pace University student-athlete and recent alumni is a prime example of how hard work and determination yields success. White was recently named head coach of the St. Francis Preparatory High School girls' varsity basketball team in Fresh Meadows, New York.
 
"I originally attended school at Manhattan College for two years prior to transferring to Pace. The main reason I transferred to Pace was for basketball, but I really liked the fun and close-knit community Pace provides." White went on to say, "I'm definitely glad I transferred to Pace. I had an amazing three years here and wouldn't trade it for the world. I met some of the greatest teachers, friends and teammates here at Pace. I love the fact that it's a close school where your teachers know you by name and interact with you often."
 
White scored 500 points in two seasons as she connected on 105 three-pointers in 62 games played. She ranks eighth in all-time triples and is third on the single season three-pointers list with 67 during the 2011-12 season. She was part of two NCAA Division II Tournament teams, including the Sweet 16 squad in her first year of 2010-11. The following season, she served as an assistant coach under Head Coach Carrie Seymour and earned Bachelor's Degree from Pace in Biological Sciences in 2013. "My favorite on-court memory would have to be getting a bid to NCAA's and going to the Sweet 16 my junior year," White said. "That tournament was such an amazing experience and I'll definitely never forget it."
 
White recalls how much of an impact her coaches had on her college experience while at Pace. "My coaches, Carrie Seymour and Patrina Blow, were very influential. They shared not only their endless basketball knowledge but lessons on a tough work ethic and life lessons. Playing basketball at Pace was hands down the best decision I've ever made. Playing for such talented and well-respected coaches, I knew I was going to have my work cut out for me. It reiterated the idea that you need to work hard for whatever you want in life; nothing is handed to you. It helped me grow as a person as I learned how to balance school with basketball. It also made me realize how much I love the game and want to be around it for as long as possible."
 
Off the court, White recalls a few faculty members who were also influential during her studies at Pace. "I can genuinely say there wasn't one faculty member that I didn't like at Pace. There were a few who definitely had an influence on me and my studies during Pace - Dr. John Horne, Dr. Nancy Krucher, Dr. Karen Caldwell, and Dr. David Nabirahni. They all went above and beyond for all their students - whether it was providing extra help outside of office hours, extra practice problems, or an ear to listen, they were always there no matter what. I am so grateful to have experienced all of these people throughout my time at Pace."
 
Since graduating in 2013, White has been working part-time and will begin graduate classes for occupational therapy this fall. This past year she was an assistant coach for the girls' varsity basketball at St. Francis Preparatory High School and will now take the helm as head coach for the program, making her the youngest coach in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I.
 
If she could pass along advice for today's student-athlete, Kerri White has a very clear message: "work as hard as you can and stay focused. You don't want to look back on your career and regret not doing more on the court (field, etc.) or in the classroom. If you work hard now, you can play later; great things come to those who continue to work hard."
 
As she continues to excel professionally, White looks forward to helping others, something she enjoys doing most. "I love helping people more than anything. I also love seeing people progress over time. Whether it is a physical or mental limitation, I always want to see how far the body and mind can be pushed. Studying biology and playing basketball at Pace showed me that we often sell ourselves short of our greatest potential. I think by becoming an occupational therapist I will be able to push people past a point they ever imagined and give them hope to do things they didn't they would be able to do. I think this coincides with basketball as well. I want to be able to take a team and exceed other people's expectations of them."