Leo White, Jr. is a 1980 graduate of Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Military Science. White was on full scholarship for judo coming into Cumberland and became involved in the ROTC program, as his father was a retired U.S. Army sergeant. Juggling the military and judo, White claims that Judo was more of a hobby to him. He would work all day, then train at night. His opponents would train all day, yet White still earned his nickname, "The Giant Killer".
Leo has consistently performed as an outstanding Judoka in local, state, national, and international arenas. As a student athlete at Cumberland, White repeatedly distinguished himself as a Kentucky State Judo Champion and a NCJA Ahampion. He won a Bronze Medal in the 1979 Pan American Games and a Gold Medal in the 1980 Pan American Championships. Each year during his college career, White was named as an NCJA All American. After college, White continued his judo interests while serving in the United States Army. He received numerous awards including the 1983 U.S. Military Athlete of the Year and Army Athlete of the Year awards. That same year, he was inducted into the Judo Black Belt Hall of Fame. White's futher career highlights include being the only U.S. judo athlete to win a Senoir National Championship in each of the last 3 decades. He is also a 6 time U.S. Olympic Festival Championship, 4 time U.S. International Invitational Champion, 4 time World Military Champion, and a 2 time member of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team. He has served on the Athlete's Advisory Council to the United States Olympic Committee and as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors, since 1992.
His successes in judo have earned him invitations to the White House, where he's met President Clinton, both Bushes, and legendary entertainer Johnny Carson, among others. White is also invited to the White House once again following the 2008 Olympic Games.
Career Highlights
Current Community Olympic Development Program - Head Coach, Judo, Atlanta
18 Time U.S. Senior National Champion [U.S. record]
4 Time World Military Champion
4 Time U.S. International Invitational Champion
6 Time U.S. Olympic Festival Champion
4 Time Pacific Rims Games - Gold Medalist
Only U.S. Judo Athlete to have won a Senior National Championship in each of the last three decades
Overall 1998 World Masters Champion
U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors [1992-94 Quadrennium] [1996-present]
Athletes Advisory Countil (Aac) to the United States Olympic Committee [1992-94 Quadrennium] [1996-present]
Member National Judo Coaching Staff
Athletes Advisory Council Representative - 1995 Pan American Games
Athletes Advisory Council Representative - 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival
Athletes Advisory Council Representative - 1996 Olympic Games
Honors and Awards
1998 U.S. Judo Champion - Senior Nationals
1995 U.S. Olympic Festival Champion
Member 1992 & 1984 U.S. Olympic Team
Member & Team Captain - 1993 U.S. World Team
1991 Pan American Games Team - Silver Medalist
1991 Pacific Rim Games Team - Gold Medalist
Member 1990 Goodwill Games Team
1993 Pacific Rim Championships - Gold Medalist
U.S. Senior Judo Championships Outstanding Competitor - 1988
1984 Sullivan Award Nominee
Military Athlete of the Year 1983 - Touchdown Club Timmie Award
Army Athlete of the Year - 1983
Member 4 Pan American Games Teams; 4 Time Medalist
Holds record for most medals won by a judo athlete in Pan American Games
U.S. Judo Association Most Improved Player of the year
Judoka of the Year - 1985
Recipient Southland Corporation Olympia Award - 1984
Black Belt Hall of Fame, inducted 1983
4 Time Collegiate Judo Champion
Team Captain for numerous All-Army/Military and International Judo Teams
Member and Team Captain of U.S. Olympic Training Center Judo Team 1985; 1987-1989
White currently operates two speparate judo clubs in Atlanta, GA, while enjoying life with his wife, Jacqueline, who he married in 1991, his son, Leo Edward who was an orange belt at the age of 8, and his mother, Winnifred, who relocated from Seaside in 2002 after White's father passed away.
