Indiana Native White Helps Fever Open 10th Season

May 28, 2009 | By Ericka Sanders

Frank McGrath / PS&E Photo
Stephanie White is somewhat iconic when it comes to women’s basketball in Indiana. The small town girl won Indiana Miss Basketball honors in 1995 while at Seeger High School, stayed in the state to play college ball at Purdue and when the Indiana Fever stormed into the WNBA 10 years ago, White was on the roster.

Now an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky, White’s face lights up when she talks about home.

“It’s the best,” she said. “Growing up in a small town and playing basketball here, I have the best memories in Indiana.”

Although the Fever’s 74-67 preseason victory over the Sky won’t be in the team’s permanent books, it’s sort of ironic that White was in Conseco when the team tipped off its 10th season – unofficially.

She’s one of only two women named one of the 50 greatest players in Indiana when Conseco opened its doors in 1999. Coming out of high school, she was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and USA Today National Player of the Year. White capped off her days as a Boilermaker with a national title in 1999, the team’s lone championship.

Even though White retired in 2005, she couldn’t take too many steps without giving a high five or signing an autograph, and when her name was announced during introductions, the crowd cheered as though it was the Women’s Big Ten Tournament.

“Indiana has the best fans,” she said smiling. “It’s like everyone knows you.”

“It’s nice to see Stephanie here,” said Marla Cooper, who has followed White since her Purdue days. “Many of us watched her grow as a basketball player, and now we get to follow her as a coach.”

After retiring, White says it was hard for the first couple years, but coaching and doing commentary helped. She’s been an assistant for Ball State and Kansas State, and from 2000-2003 she was a color analyst for the Indiana High School Girl’s Basketball State Finals.

Naming Fever coach Linn Dunn as someone she looked up to, White called Dunn, who coached her at Purdue, one of the “greatest offensive minds.”

Eventually she’d like to roam the sidelines like Dunn as well – as a head coach.

“Sure, I’d love to be a head coach," she said. “But I’m also enjoying what I’m doing. I’ve had some great opportunities, and I’m still learning. I feel like I have a lot to learn.”

I’m sure any team – especially in Indiana – would be willing to give her a shot when she’s ready.