Erik White, a native of Massillon, Ohio, teamed with fellow 2003 inductee Mark Szlachcic to form one of the top duos in
MAC history. Like Szlachcic, White helped the Falcons to back-to-back MAC titles and bowl berths in 1991 and 1992. And, like Szlachcic,
White was a two-time All-MAC First-Team selection.
In fact, White earned the Vern Smith Award as the league's Most Valuable Player in each of his last two seasons, becoming one of
only two two-time winners of the award (joining BGSU's Brian McClure). White played sparingly in his freshman season of 1989,
completing 8-of-21 passes, but assumed the starting role as a sophomore in 1990. As a starter, he guided BGSU to a 24-7-2 record
over the next three years, including a 21-3 mark his last two seasons. He led BG to 16-straight MAC wins in 1991 and 1992, tying
the league record for consecutive victories.
White threw for 299 yards, the highest total in the MAC in 1990, in the final game of that season, providing a glimpse of things
to come. In 1991, he completed 185 of his 323 passing attampts, for a total of 2,204 yards through the air and 17 touchdowns. In
the Falcons' California Bowl win at Fresno State, White threw for 263 yards and two more scores. White threw at least one TD pass
in all 12 games that fall.
In addition to the Vern Smith Award and the All-MAC First-Team honors, White was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year
in 1991, and also was a UPI honorable mention All-American.
In 1992, White again earned all four of the aforementioned honors in leading the Brown and Orange to another MAC title and bowl win.
He completed 195 passes in 344 attempts, amassing 2,380 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. White threw 11 TD passes over the
final four regular-season games, including three in each of the last three contests. He had a career-high 312 yards passing in the
title-clinching win over Kent. In the Las Vegas Bowl win over Nevada, White had 24 completions for 245 yards and a pair of scores.
White led the MAC in total offense in each of his last two seasons. He ended his career ranked second in school history with 39 TD
passes and third in both completions (515) and attempts (950). He was also third in school history, and sixth in MAC history,
with 6,072 career yards passing. Entering the 2003 season, White still ranks third in completions, attempts and yards, and is
third in touchdowns on the BGSU passing charts as well.
White participated in the NFL combines following his senior season, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent, before
being cut in late August of that year.
(Information on this page courtesy bgsufalcons.com press release, August 8, 2003.)