By Joe Guster

KINGS POINT, N.Y. (July 27, 2015) – The administration at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point announced on Monday that it has selected Maureen “Mo” White to lead the Department of Physical Education and Athletics (PE&A), effective today, July 27, 2015.

White becomes the second female Director of PE&A in the history of the Academy and takes over the role in a full capacity after Sue Petersen Lubow, who served in the position for 25 years, stepped down in March of 2014. Captain Bill Fell served as Interim Director of PE&A while the national search for Lubow’s replacement took place.

“We are very glad to welcome Mo to be part of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy team,” said RADM James A. Helis, Superintendent. “With her impressive experience, she is an ideal addition who will continue to make the USMMA an incomparable learning experience. We look forward to seeing the next round of great leaders she will help produce.”

In her position as Head of the Department of Physical Education & Athletics, White will be responsible for the overall management, administration, and supervisory oversight of the department’s staff, budget and facilities usage. She will also oversee the physical education curriculum for all Midshipmen at the Academy, as well as USMMA’s 18 NCAA Division III varsity programs, club-level athletic programs and other intramural programs.

White comes to USMMA after spending the past 18 years at Mitchell College in New London, Conn., where she had served as the Director of Athletics since 2004. She oversaw the transition of Mitchell College Athletics from the junior college level to NCAA Division III. Since becoming a full-fledged DIII member in 2009, the Mariners have won 12 NECC Championships and qualified for the NCAA National Championship in the sports of women’s soccer, men's basketball and baseball. In 2014 Mitchell Athletics captured the NECC Director’s Cup for the top athletic program.

White also served in various leadership capacities for the New England Collegiate Conference, filling the roles of Chair Elect, Treasurer, Senior Women’s Administrator, and Chair of the NECC Strategic Planning Committee. She also served as the sport chair for men’s and women’s tennis, men's soccer, softball and men’s golf.

White began her career at Mitchell in 1998 as an adjunct professor and head coach of the men’s tennis team. During her tenure as men’s tennis coach, Mitchell captured six NJCAA Region 21 Championships and made six appearances in the NJCAA Men’s National Tennis Championships. White was honored as the Region 21 Coach of the Year for five consecutive years and coached four NJCAA All-Americans.

In 2003, White was named Department Chair of the Sport Management program at Mitchell College and also served as Faculty Athletics Representative for the department of athletics. She was elevated to the Director of Athletics position on an interim basis in July 2004 and assumed full-time status in 2006 as the Mariners were in transition to the DIII level.

Prior to her time at Mitchell College, White spent over 12 years in the corporate sector in the areas of marketing and consulting. She served as a Director of Marketing (North America & Europe) for Tristar Sports for six years before moving on to a similar position at Goal Sporting Goods. She then provided consultation for M&M Sports Consulting, aiding the national launches for several regional sporting goods companies.

"I am thrilled to be joining the team at Kings Point and would like to thank the search committee and Admiral Helis for this exciting opportunity,” said White. “Leading the athletic department at an institution so rich in history and tradition as Kings Point has always been a personal goal for me. My family and I look forward to our move to Kings Point and to meeting and working with all the talented staff and midshipmen at the Academy."

White holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Providence College and a master’s degree in Sport Management from the University of Connecticut. A native of Old Lyme, Conn., she resides in Kings Point, N.Y., with her husband, Jason, and sons T.J. and Devin.