Sports
Rattler Rewind: An assist from FAMU still echoes for former basketball star Natalie White – Tallahassee Democrat
Rattler Rewind is a recurring summertime series authored by the Tallahassee Democrat’s FAMU Beat Reporter, Gerald Thomas, III. If you have suggestions for future Rattler Rewind guests, contact Thomas at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com.
You can’t discuss Florida A&M women’s basketball without mentioning Natalie White.
From her freshman year in 1991, the former point guard helped put the Rattlerettes on the map as an HBCU blueblood and respectable small NCAA Division I program.
White is a four-time Black College All-America selection, averaging 12.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 5.5 steals during her time at FAMU from 1991-1995.
In 2001, White was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame. Ten years later, in 2011, the MEAC added White to its Hall of Fame. White was also recognized as a top 50 athlete across all MEAC sports in 2021.
“I bleed Orange and Green,” White told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“When I stepped foot on The Highest of Seven Hills, I knew that was where I was supposed to be. FAMU owes me nothing. When they say ‘FAMU I Love Thee’ ― literally in every sense of the word.”
White came to Tallahassee from Peach County High School of Fort Valley, Georgia, to continue her education at FAMU and her basketball career for the Rattlerettes.
White immediately learned what the FAMULY is all about.
Often attracting large crowds of Tallahassee residents and FAMU faithful to pack Gaither Gymnasium in support of the Rattlerettes is something White took pride in.
It made her “fall in love with Tallahassee,” especially when she noticed former FAMU President Dr. Frederick S. Humphries routinely attending the games.
“It’s not often you see your university president cheering in the stands with a hot dog, popcorn, and Coke. It was inspiring to see someone of his caliber take the time to support us,” White said of Dr. Humphries.
“Our games were packed. The student body and community came out to support. Tallahassee is a second home.”
The 1994-1995 basketball season was a history-making senior year for White.
The FAMU star guard was rewarded the MEAC’s Player of the Year and penned her name in women’s college basketball’s record books by finishing her career first in the Division I steals.
Additionally, White and the Rattlerettes, under coach Claudette Farmer, won their first MEAC Tournament Championship to clinch the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1995.
“We didn’t understand the magnitude of it while we were in the midst of it. But afterward, we were like, ‘We did this. Now, people know about FAMU women’s basketball.’ That was our goal,” White said, reflecting on the Rattlerettes’ 1995 NCAA Tournament appearance.
“My senior year was phenomenal. Everything just fell in line. That’s one experience that I’ll never forget.”
White believes today’s FAMU women’s basketballers can reach and exceed the heights that her teams did.
White and Rattlers head coach Bridgette Gordon have spoken through social media and text and hopes to someday meet in person.
White says Gordon’s championship pedigree and decorated college basketball career for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers can help rebuild FAMU women’s basketball. In Gordon’s first season coaching the Rattlers last year, she led the team to their first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament appearance, ending a four-year postseason drought.
“Coach Gordon is a competitor. She knows what winning feels like. I hope she’s showing footage of when she played,” White said. “I look forward to supporting her in anything I can do to get young ladies on FAMU’s campus to get the young ladies back to how it was.
“Records are meant to be broken, and my goal is for the women on the team to continue the legacy of building champions. I want to see them in the SWAC Championship every year. We need to be the standard.”
White still promotes and empowers women’s basketball.
She is the Los Angeles Sparks’ Vice President of Community Relations and Social Impact. White has worked in the WNBA since 2009.
Lately, interest in WNBA and women’s college basketball has skyrocketed.
“The attention that the WNBA is getting right now is something we fought for when the league started in 1997. It’s a great feeling. I love it,” White said.
“You’re finally getting to see the fruits of your labor. All eyes are on the WNBA. And I know it will continue.”
Though White now resides on the West Coast, her impact in Fort Valley still resonates through her A10TION (pronounced ‘attention’) Foundation. The organization provides sports and educational programs for youth and families.
The A10tion Foundation Center is at White’s middle school basketball gym in Fort Valley.
“When my ball stopped bouncing on the court, it continued to bounce off it,” White said about transitioning from college basketball player to WNBA executive and philanthropist.
“I always wanted to give back to my community and show those who grew up in small towns that you can dream big and always come back. Without sports, I don’t know where I’d be. My passion for basketball blessed me to do that.”
White says her “purpose on this earth is to serve.”
The two-time FAMU graduate is a life member of the FAMU National Alumni Association. She won FAMU NAA’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019.
Often giving to support FAMU and its athletic program, White wants more Rattlers to join her in the cause.
“I would like to challenge all alumni to continue to support our beloved university and FAMU Athletics,” White said.
“I appreciate everyone who supported me while I was at FAMU. I look forward to staying in touch with everybody,” White added.
The goal is the same for the ever-growing WNBA, too.
“Support the WNBA. If you don’t have a WNBA team near you, it doesn’t hurt to buy merchandise and watch it on TV,” White said.
“Everything helps.”
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
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