Harold S. “Bud” White, Jr.

Inducted May 2008

Harold began swimming for his father Harold S. White, Sr., then coach of the Auburn YMCA in the early 1930’s. As a 4 year high school swimmer, he was undefeated in individual events in dual meet competition. He was a high school state record holder in the 50 free (25.0) and the 100 freestyle (55.3) for 1935. Those records would last 6 years each with his 100 time earning him high school All American status.

During his collegiate career at Bowdoin College, he again went undefeated in his sprint free events eventually setting 3 Bowdoin and New England Collegiate records becoming Bowdoin’ first collegiate All American swimmer as a senior in 1939. He was voted Bowdoin’s team captain his senior year and was named New England college swimmer of the year for 1938. Coach Robert Miller considered Bud a top Olympic prospect for the 1940 Tokyo, Japan games which were cancelled.

Bud was also a semi-pro baseball player and eventually worked as Thornton Academies Athletic Director. He was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. He was also inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also named as one of Sports Illustrated magazines Maine picks for All Time Top Athletes at #30 in 2000 just 4 spots behind Whitney Leeman (HoF 2005).