The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF) has posthumously named Harold White its 2019 Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient. The annual honor is presented to encourage the type of behavior we want to see more of in our community. The award recognizes a citizen who has positively impacted our community through the sport of football.

This year’s honoree, Harold White, had a tremendous impact on young athletes and in his community through his service to the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant football coach, academic advisor for Gamecock student-athletes, and Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Support and Student Services. A 1963 graduate of South Carolina State College, White, who was the first African-American football coach in Gamecock history, first arrived on campus in 1971 as a graduate assistant football coach. He was the head of academic support for Gamecock student-athletes from 1973-89 and returned to that position in 1993.

White also served as the school’s NCAA compliance officer for two years after heading up to the academic office as director of Carolina’s Wellness Program for 11 years. Before retiring in 2007, White was the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Support and Student Services. “Harold was a pioneer as well as a mentor and father-type figure to many Gamecock student-athletes, across all sports,” said Charles Waddell, Deputy Athletics Director. “His impact on student-athletes is tremendous.”

The Gamecocks football team awards the “Harold White GPA Award” each year to team members recognized for academic achievement. White passed away in February of this year.  He is survived by his wife, Lilly Mozella Hodges White, two daughters and four grandchildren. A native of Columbia, White graduated from C.A. Johnson High School in Columbia and was inducted into the Richland County School District One Hall of Fame in 2015.  In 1993, the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) awarded White the Lan Hewlett Award for his service in academic advising. USC Athletics inducted White into its Hall of Fame in 2009.

Video produced by Prominence Media. Picture used of Harold White are from Gamecock Athletics.