Taylor professor of education Quinn White has been announced as the new head coach of the Taylor women's cross country team for the 2010 season. White takes the reins of his first collegiate head coaching position in the same place he started his college running career as a freshman for the Trojans in 1983.

"Dr. Quinn White brings a great deal of enthusiasm and a strong background into the Taylor cross country program," said Taylor Athletic Director Angie Fincannon. "He was carefully chosen for his ability to develop a comprehensive and competitive program to maximize the potential of this great group of young women. His addition will also bring momentum to coach Bowers' track and field program as they work together and recruit outstanding student-athletes."

The Madison, Ind., native brings 23 years of high school cross country and track coaching experience, where he has guided his teams to nine conference championships, six district titles, and has had 22 All-State athletes earn a total of 47 All-State honors.

White's first collegiate coaching experience came in 1987 when he served as a volunteer assistant under then head coach and Taylor Hall of Famer, Chris Coy, who guided his teams to 16 conference titles.

Over the next six years beginning in 1988, White worked as an assistant cross country coach at three different high schools while also serving as a teacher in their respective school systems: North Central (Ind.), Wayne Trace (Ohio), and Van Wert (Ohio).

From 1999-2006, White was an assistant professor of education at the former Taylor University Fort Wayne. It was during that time that he gained the bulk of his experience as the head boy's track coach at Van Wert High School from 1991-1994 and 1996-2006. There he inherited a Cougars squad at the bottom of the conference, before turning the team into four-time Western Buckeye League champions.

After earning his Master's in Language, Literature, and Reading in 1996 and then his Ph. D. in Language, Literacy & Culture in 2005 both from the Ohio State University, White returned to Taylor's Upland campus as a professor of education in the fall of 2006.

In 2008 he was awarded the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award by the University and the Excellent Educator Award by Taylor University Kappa Delta Pi.

As a volunteer assistant coach for the Eastbrook High School (Marion, Ind.) girl's track team this past season, White oversaw the distance program for the Panthers. His runners broke school records and qualified for IHSAA Regionals in each distance event.

An accomplished runner in his own right, White ran four seasons each of cross country and track and won five varsity letters during his years as a Taylor student-athlete.

White is actively involved in his Team Victory ministry, having taken two trips to the Dominican Republic since 2009 in which his teams deliver shoes, shirts, and Bibles to impoverished youth while sharing the Gospel through running.

White sees the women's cross country program as one with great potential. "I am anxious to lean on the traditions and successes of the past to help us move forward in the future," said White. "I am also excited about the opportunity to help these ladies develop and use their gift of running to glorify the Lord."

White lives in Upland with his wife, Julie ('89), and children, Haley, Keanan, and Connor.