University of Windsor Athletic Director Stephanie White has been elected to the U SPORTS board of directors. (FILE/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
University of Windsor director of athletics Stephanie White will help shape the future of university sport in Canada after being elected to the U SPORTS Board of Directors as the Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) representative for athletic directors.
The appointment was announced during the national organization's annual general meeting in June, which introduced changes to the U SPORTS Board structure and welcomed new representatives from across the country.
White will represent Ontario's athletic directors at the national table during the 2026-27 term.
For White, the opportunity is both an honour and a responsibility.
"To represent our conference and the work that is done by all the member institutions, athletic directors, coaches, staff and student-athletes is significant,” says White.
“It feels good to have the support of my fellow athletic directors and to know they believe I can represent the OUA well at the national table."
The OUA is Canada's largest university athletics conference, with 20 member institutions and thousands of student-athletes. White was elected by her fellow OUA athletic directors, who selected her to serve as their representative on U SPORTS board.
Her election reflects more than two decades of experience in university sport administration.
Before joining the University of Windsor in 2022, White held leadership positions at Western University and Toronto Metropolitan University.
"I think the support of my peers is a recognition of the years of experience I've had as an administrator within the OUA and working at other institutions, in addition to my time at the University of Windsor,” she says.
"It's also about demonstrating that I would be collaborative in bringing issues back to athletic directors for input."
The U SPORTS Board of Directors oversees matters that affect student-athletes and university athletic programs nationwide. Discussions often focus on governance, eligibility regulations, athletic financial awards, championship administration and policies that shape the student-athlete experience.
Although board members represent their respective conferences, White says the broader responsibility is to consider what is best for university sport across Canada.
"At the heart of it, athletic directors across the country have a strong belief in serving student-athletes and creating the best possible student-athlete experience," she says.
"As the largest conference, it's important that the OUA has a strong voice in those conversations."
White believes her election also reflects the growing reputation of Lancer Athletics on the national stage.
"Being able to bring that voice to the national level is a wonderful and impactful opportunity," she says.
"I think it's also a good representation of where the University of Windsor is now regarded in sport and the respect people have for our programs."
She is quick to share that recognition with the broader Lancer community.
"That's part of the work our coaches do, our student-athletes do and, of course, our staff do," White says.
"I'm just lucky enough to be able to represent everyone."
Her commitment to student-athlete success has been a defining theme throughout her career. A lifelong participant in sport, White says athletics has had a profound impact on her own life and continues to inspire her work as an administrator.
"Sport has been so central to my own life," she says.
"I've seen the value that it brings — creating opportunities, helping people stay engaged in school, building confidence, discipline and skills that help them become contributors to their communities after graduation."
She also points to the friendships, teamwork and sense of belonging that come through athletics.
"The joy that comes from being part of a team and the lifelong connections that come from sport are things that I've experienced," says White.
"I love the idea of helping others experience that as well.”