March 7, 2008

Bryan White is accustomed to doing the dirty work, establishing himself as the one of the top rebounders in the Patriot League. But entering the 2007-08 season as the only senior on the Lehigh roster gave White a new title: team leader.

"I thought it would be tougher and more strenuous as the only senior, but Coach (Brett) Reed did not expect me to do everything," said White. "I'm finding myself in the position as a leader, but I'm proud of the young guys for stepping up."

His status as a team captain wasn't the only change for White's final season. Lehigh had a change at the top late in the offseason as Reed was promoted to the head coaching position after Billy Taylor departed for Ball State. But White and his Mountain Hawks teammates did not need a period of adjustment with a coach that had been with the program throughout their entire careers.

"It was an easy transition because we had someone in the program already," White said. "He recruited me and I had a lot of faith in him and still do. I think we got a great coach and it's really paying off for us."

White's game has largely remained the same in his final campaign, and that's good news for the Mountain Hawks. He became the 41st player in Patriot League history to grab over 500 rebounds in his career during a Jan. 6 game against Princeton, and is among the League leaders in rebounds and blocked shots this season.

People might not cast White as an accomplished rebounder and shot blocker when they first see him on the court. At 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, White has to rely on a strong work ethic to compete against bigger players down low.

"Rebounding is something that a lot of people don't like to do," White said. "Doing the garbage work, the nitty and gritty, makes me successful with rebounding. I'm not going to go out every night and get 20 points. It just comes along with my game that I would rather get 15 rebounds than 15 points so they will be key to getting extra shots or stops."

White has plenty of additional passions and hobbies off the court. He's part of Lehigh's COACH (Community Outreach by Athletes who Care about Helping) program, where Lehigh student-athletes go to schools and talk to the kids about the importance of education and balancing athletics and schools.

"I got involved with the program as a freshman, and I love communicating with other people and working with younger kids," White said.

White is also an avid writer, and he uses the pen to help calm himself down and stay levelheaded.

"When I'm having a rough time I just put myself on paper and it's an easy way to get rid of frustrations," White said.

He doesn't see writing as a career, but wouldn't mind if it led to an opportunity in sports management or sports communications. With the work ethic and leadership that he has displayed at Lehigh, White should have no trouble finding success in the future.