April 25, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

Not many people, especially men, get to say they’ve been an integral part of a college women’s basketball program. Benjamin White spent all four of his undergraduate years as a scout team and practice player for Gamecocks Women’s Basketball – prepping the team to face opponents by simulating their rivals’ strategies and play styles and helping them win two national titles in the process.

By senior year, the exercise science major had taken on another role for the team. White is wrapping up his final semester of his undergraduate tenure with a sports performance internship, and it’s the perfect segue into the next phase of his USC journey: enrolling as a student in his department’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program this fall.

“I’ve truly loved my four years here; it’s been an incredible journey,” White says. “Being part of the Gamecock community, especially behind the scenes with our sports programs, gave me a whole new appreciation for the culture and energy here.”

White’s passion for the field began when he was playing sports and working out – often with his dad – in Anderson, South Carolina. As he approached high school graduation, he began to realize that he loved the process (e.g., training, improving, pushing limits) even more than the competition. Paired with his love of connecting with others and helping them reach their goals, he knew that the Arnold School’s B.S. in Exercise Science program would be the perfect fit.

“It gave me the chance to combine everything I enjoy into a meaningful career,” White says. “I grew up going to the Gamecocks football games, so USC always felt like home, and it has one of the top exercise science programs in the country. When I started thinking seriously about college and my career goals, it just made sense.”

In addition to the countless hours he spent with the women’s basketball program, White gained professional experience over the past four years as well. He spent more than 125 hours observing and assisting clinicians in orthopedics and physical therapy practices. A certified personal trainer, White has also worked at Anytime Fitness, which has achieved Club Platinum status during each of his three years with the organization.  

Inside his program, he loved traveling to Australia with a Sport Travel Academy Maymester program. He found a mentor in the course instructor, exercise science/athletic training clinical associate professor Jim Mensch.

“Dr. Mensch has been a huge influence on my journey,” White says. “He consistently encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and take initiative instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me. He always preached the importance of being an above-average person – going the extra mile, networking, and finding ways to stand out. That mindset really stuck with me, and his guidance helped shape not only my academic path but how I carry myself professionally.”

As a physical therapist, White plans to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. His goal is to help people not only recover from injuries but to return stronger, using his training as a clinician and a coach to blend physical therapy and sports performance.

“Take initiative and build relationships with your professors, which can take you a lot further than grades alone,” White advises other students. “Try new things, take chances, and soak up every moment, because it goes by faster than you think. The growth you’ll experience by simply saying yes to new challenges is something you’ll carry with you long after graduation.”

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