University of North Carolina Athletics
Aluka-White’s Journey in the Southeast
September 6, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Although this is her first time in Chapel Hill, assistant coach Joanne Aluka-White is not new to North Carolina or the southeast. Working primarily with the Tar Heels' post players Aluka-White most recently made the 150-mile trip west to UNC from Charlotte where she spent seven seasons with the 49ers.
Born and raised in Augusta, Ga., Aluka-White spent six years at Middle Tennessee State where she earned her bachelors and master's degrees. During her undergraduate career, Aluka-White was named the OVC Freshman of the Year and earned OVC honorable mention honors.
"I studied exercise science and was planning to go to physical therapy school for cardio rehabilitation," Aluka-White said. "That's what I interned for my senior year of college. I was a doctor's office/PT office in the back and I worked with people who were recovering from heart surgery. I thought that was what I was going to do and I could have, but something just didn't feel right."
A graduate assistant while earning her master's in sport management, she spent time working in the athletic department as well as assisting with women's basketball. However, coaching was not Aluka-White's initial career path.
"I don't know if I deliberately chose coaching," Aluka-White said. "I knew I had a knack for recruiting and that I wanted to be around basketball and athletics. For me the opportunity came when I was looking for a job after I got married. An opportunity arose at FIU and I was able to experience a lot of things - marketing, community service, player development - and I grew to love it and help young people develop on and off the court."
Following her time in Tennessee, Aluka-White had an opportunity most would only dream about. Aluka-White traveled to Athens, Greece to represent Nigeria at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
"I was around the best of the best in athletics," Aluka-White said. "But it was also special because soon after that my dad passed. The reason I was able to play in the Olympics that year was because my parents are from Nigeria so I played on the Nigerian National Team. I was able to represent their country, my country, in the Olympics. … My parents were able to see what I was able to do with the route that I chose for myself - that was really special."
Following the Olympics, Aluka-White found herself in Miami, Florida as an assistant coach at Florida International University. During her six years with the Panthers, the program reached the 2011 and 2012 Sun Belt Tournament semifinals and earned an at-large bid to the postseason, competing in the WNIT for the first time since 2005-06. It capped the school's first 20-win campaign in the last 10 years and the Panthers' second-straight 10-win Sun Belt record.
"From every stop, I've learned a lot," Aluka-White said. "The one that has impacted me the most as a coach was my high school coach and how he cared for his players. He went above and beyond. He coached for over 30 years. He helped a lot of players go through college.
"My college coach, Stephany Smith, who's no longer coaching, I was able to see how she was a master mind as far as recruiting and building relationships. Professionally in the business, it would be Diane Turnham – the SWA at Middle Tennessee and the chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee this year. I've been able to call her anytime for the administrative/professional part of things and what moves to make and pursue. There's a lot of people in the business but there's a small circle of people I rely on."
Throughout her career, Aluka-White has participated in several professional development and coaching seminars most recently the inaugural Next Chair event on the Charlotte campus in May. She also has been selected for the NCAA Minority Coaches Forum for Basketball in Charlottesville, Virginia during the 2017 and 2018 springs. In June 2013, she was chosen to attend the Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) program, which is designed for minority coaches. It was funded by the NCAA and the Advocates for Athletic Equity (AAE).
"Every year when I've gone to different professional development events, I've learned something," Aluka-White said. "But one thing that's stuck with me the most is I went to a Felicia Hall Allen event which is called "Step Up" where they encouraged coaches to bloom where you're planted. Bloom where you're planted and provide value to be the best you can possibly be for that program and not to always look for the next opportunity. Worry about that program and make that place better than when you got there. That's been my motto and that's what I've tried to do everywhere I've been."
Coaching at two universities prior to Carolina, Aluka-White has followed true to that motto, making an impact on her student-athletes and those around her. Aluka-White and her husband, Fred White, have raised their twins, Daniel and Gabrielle, surrounded by athletics.
"My family is a big piece of why I can do this job," Aluka-White said. "They love that we're a sports family. So the thought of having this opportunity at Carolina while they're in their formative years as 12-year-olds is huge. They can see excellence around them on a daily basis when they're around me at work from each sport."
Developing young people on and off the court has continued to be a passion for Aluka-White throughout her career.
"That's probably one of my biggest motivators," Aluka-White said. "And to win. No one gets into this industry not to win. You want to win basketball games and win in a mighty way. I'm excited to get to do that here."
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Basketball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Born and raised in Augusta, Ga., Aluka-White spent six years at Middle Tennessee State where she earned her bachelors and master's degrees. During her undergraduate career, Aluka-White was named the OVC Freshman of the Year and earned OVC honorable mention honors.
"I studied exercise science and was planning to go to physical therapy school for cardio rehabilitation," Aluka-White said. "That's what I interned for my senior year of college. I was a doctor's office/PT office in the back and I worked with people who were recovering from heart surgery. I thought that was what I was going to do and I could have, but something just didn't feel right."
A graduate assistant while earning her master's in sport management, she spent time working in the athletic department as well as assisting with women's basketball. However, coaching was not Aluka-White's initial career path.
"I don't know if I deliberately chose coaching," Aluka-White said. "I knew I had a knack for recruiting and that I wanted to be around basketball and athletics. For me the opportunity came when I was looking for a job after I got married. An opportunity arose at FIU and I was able to experience a lot of things - marketing, community service, player development - and I grew to love it and help young people develop on and off the court."
Following her time in Tennessee, Aluka-White had an opportunity most would only dream about. Aluka-White traveled to Athens, Greece to represent Nigeria at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
"I was around the best of the best in athletics," Aluka-White said. "But it was also special because soon after that my dad passed. The reason I was able to play in the Olympics that year was because my parents are from Nigeria so I played on the Nigerian National Team. I was able to represent their country, my country, in the Olympics. … My parents were able to see what I was able to do with the route that I chose for myself - that was really special."
Following the Olympics, Aluka-White found herself in Miami, Florida as an assistant coach at Florida International University. During her six years with the Panthers, the program reached the 2011 and 2012 Sun Belt Tournament semifinals and earned an at-large bid to the postseason, competing in the WNIT for the first time since 2005-06. It capped the school's first 20-win campaign in the last 10 years and the Panthers' second-straight 10-win Sun Belt record.
"From every stop, I've learned a lot," Aluka-White said. "The one that has impacted me the most as a coach was my high school coach and how he cared for his players. He went above and beyond. He coached for over 30 years. He helped a lot of players go through college.
"My college coach, Stephany Smith, who's no longer coaching, I was able to see how she was a master mind as far as recruiting and building relationships. Professionally in the business, it would be Diane Turnham – the SWA at Middle Tennessee and the chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee this year. I've been able to call her anytime for the administrative/professional part of things and what moves to make and pursue. There's a lot of people in the business but there's a small circle of people I rely on."
Throughout her career, Aluka-White has participated in several professional development and coaching seminars most recently the inaugural Next Chair event on the Charlotte campus in May. She also has been selected for the NCAA Minority Coaches Forum for Basketball in Charlottesville, Virginia during the 2017 and 2018 springs. In June 2013, she was chosen to attend the Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) program, which is designed for minority coaches. It was funded by the NCAA and the Advocates for Athletic Equity (AAE).
"Every year when I've gone to different professional development events, I've learned something," Aluka-White said. "But one thing that's stuck with me the most is I went to a Felicia Hall Allen event which is called "Step Up" where they encouraged coaches to bloom where you're planted. Bloom where you're planted and provide value to be the best you can possibly be for that program and not to always look for the next opportunity. Worry about that program and make that place better than when you got there. That's been my motto and that's what I've tried to do everywhere I've been."
Coaching at two universities prior to Carolina, Aluka-White has followed true to that motto, making an impact on her student-athletes and those around her. Aluka-White and her husband, Fred White, have raised their twins, Daniel and Gabrielle, surrounded by athletics.
"My family is a big piece of why I can do this job," Aluka-White said. "They love that we're a sports family. So the thought of having this opportunity at Carolina while they're in their formative years as 12-year-olds is huge. They can see excellence around them on a daily basis when they're around me at work from each sport."
Developing young people on and off the court has continued to be a passion for Aluka-White throughout her career.
"That's probably one of my biggest motivators," Aluka-White said. "And to win. No one gets into this industry not to win. You want to win basketball games and win in a mighty way. I'm excited to get to do that here."
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Basketball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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