James White: A multi-sport talent

Many students on campus are involved in sports and extra-curricular activities. Junior James White Jr. plays hockey, an aggressive and physical sport that few California high school students attempt. He first became interested in hockey when he went to a game at age nine, and ever since, he has played on a NorCal league hockey team. Currently he plays for the Fresno Junior Monsters.  

His father spends his time advising farmers on how to best raise their crops. James Sr. is proud of the work he has seen his son put forth for hockey.

“The biggest thing was for him to decide to work hard at something, and then to see him be so successful at it,” James Sr. said. “It was good for him to be a part of a team sport and for him learn the game.”

James White Jr. is the first person in his family to play hockey. He believes that by playing hockey he has grown in other areas of life.

“I believe it has made me stronger in many ways,” White said. “It has also taught me to make friends outside of school, and how to be a better teammate.”

Even though White is committed to hockey, he believes that it doesn’t take too much time away from other activities and school.

“The practices are usually an hour to an hour and a half,” White said. “It doesn’t take too much time away from the day. Plus, it’s during the night time, so I’m not missing anything from the day.”

Aside from hockey, White also plays football at FCS for the past two years. Although only a freshman on the team, Braxton Liebe, ‘21, has seen how White exhibits dedication for football.

“He is a very good player; he works very hard,” Liebe said. “He is always on the field and he never quits. If someone hits him he just gets back up and goes at it again. He is really funny and a nice guy and I’m really happy he is on the team. I knew he played hockey but I didn’t know where and I have never been.”

JH teacher Terry Richards has known White for five years. Over that time, Richards has observed White and has noticed the growth that has occurred.

“He was quiet, but always payed attention though and he easily got along with others,” Richards said. “He is pretty solid in his faith. Hockey has helped him to understand how to work with other people, and it seems that his personality is the same, pretty solid.”

Although talented in sports, White doesn’t plan to play competitive hockey past high school.

“That is still up for debate,” White said. “If I get an offer from a college I will, but otherwise no. If they offer it to me I would go, but otherwise I wouldn’t seek out a college with hockey unless I got a scholarship. Colleges that have hockey programs are usually farther away than I want to be.”

White’s father agrees with his son about college hockey; he believes that it could be harder as well.

“College is up to him; he is not specifically trying to find a college with hockey,” James Sr. said. “College sports are a business and are very competitive.”

He was quiet, but always payed attention though and he easily got along with others. He is pretty solid in his faith. Hockey has helped him to understand how to work with other people, and it seems that his personality is the same, pretty solid. — Terry Richards

White Jr.’s main concern is staying in California. He hopes to stay in the Fresno area and study accounting.

“I am considering going into accounting,” White said. “I am looking at Fresno State because they should also have a (hockey) program soon. By the time I graduate they should have a hockey program up. It’s (accounting) usually out of necessity, because I’ve heard  lot of how the older generation has been in it and they want to retire, there are not a lot of younger people who are accountants.”

White plays for the team that feeds into the senior Monsters, a professional hockey team based in Fresno.

“Usually you have to be 18 to move to the senior team,” White said. “That’s when either you get looked at to step up to play with the Monsters, or the people playing for the Monsters are just waiting to go to college, so it’s like an in between spot.”

James Sr. also remembers his son’s biggest influences as a child and how he became inclined to sports.

“When he was younger his biggest influences were his sisters,” James Sr. said. “They were always in sports and he was with them a lot. He became a gym rat and spent a lot of time being active.”

White practices at Gateway Ice Center from 8-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Gateway Ice Center is located at 2473 N Marks Ave. His next game is on Nov. 5, at 10 a.m., also at Gateway Ice Center.

If you are interested in watching White play, his next games are:

Dec. 4 at 4:15 p.m.

Jan. 6 at 4:15 p.m.

Jan. 20 at 6 p.m.

Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.

For more articles, read, FC alumni exposes campus to AmeriStudent, international students. For more sports articles, read Profile: Carlee Whipple leads cheer team with passion, experience.

Vijay Stephen can be reached via email and via Twitter.