The Southern Conference Names Deno White Director of Wrestling

Spartanburg, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced the addition of Deno White as Director of Wrestling, effective for the 2025-2026 season.
White has more than four decades of experience in the sport. In his new role, White will oversee and manage the league's wrestling operations, emphasizing the continued growth and improvement of the SoCon's annual wrestling championship and increasing allocations and representation for the SoCon in NCAA postseason competition.
The 2025 Explore Asheville SoCon Championship event doubled its ticket revenue with a return to Asheville, N.C., this past March and will be held in the city again in 2026 (March 6-7). With the addition of White and Coordinator of Officials Michael Chase, the Southern Conference's commitment to outstanding wrestling is evident.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Southern Conference coaches and teams in various capacities for more than 25 years," said White. "I have recruited young men from SoCon wrestling programs to work in my business, and I wholeheartedly believe in these programs and what they provide for their student-athletes. I am proud to be part of that success in this new role and look forward to beginning this chapter with the SoCon."
White's involvement in wrestling, both as an official and Director of South Carolina Wrestling, led to his induction into the South Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. White has also served as the Director of the Southeastern Officials Association and the National Wrestling Officials Association and as an evaluator for the ACC, Ivy League, and Southern Conference.
His extensive philanthropic efforts have helped grow the sport on the collegiate level with assistance in starting programs at the NAIA and NCAA levels throughout the Southeast. His dedication to grassroots wrestling includes developing, managing, or operating numerous high school and collegiate tournaments, including the NHSCA Nationals held annually in Virginia Beach, Va. White has served as the Director of Wrestling for that event for over 20 years.
In addition to his recent Hall of Fame induction, White was presented with the South Carolina Administrators and Athletics Directors Service Award and received the Dan Gable Service Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Deno and his wife, Melinda, have two children and five grandchildren.
"Deno White brings unparalleled experience and passion to the Southern Conference, and we couldn't be more excited to have him leading our wrestling operations," said Southern Conference Commissioner Dr. Michael Cross. "With over four decades in the sport and his deep relationships throughout wrestling communities across the Southeast, Deno understands what it takes to provide our coaches and student-athletes with an exceptional championship experience. The tremendous success of this year's Explore Asheville Southern Conference Wrestling Championship demonstrates the incredible potential we have to elevate our sport even further. Under Deno's leadership, we're committed to building on that momentum and ensuring our wrestling programs continue to thrive at the highest levels of NCAA competition."
Appalachian State, Bellarmine, Campbell, Chattanooga, The Citadel, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, and VMI comprise the Southern Conference's wrestling membership. Those nine programs had 17 wrestlers compete in the 2025 NCAA National Championships this past March in Philadelphia.
White has more than four decades of experience in the sport. In his new role, White will oversee and manage the league's wrestling operations, emphasizing the continued growth and improvement of the SoCon's annual wrestling championship and increasing allocations and representation for the SoCon in NCAA postseason competition.
The 2025 Explore Asheville SoCon Championship event doubled its ticket revenue with a return to Asheville, N.C., this past March and will be held in the city again in 2026 (March 6-7). With the addition of White and Coordinator of Officials Michael Chase, the Southern Conference's commitment to outstanding wrestling is evident.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Southern Conference coaches and teams in various capacities for more than 25 years," said White. "I have recruited young men from SoCon wrestling programs to work in my business, and I wholeheartedly believe in these programs and what they provide for their student-athletes. I am proud to be part of that success in this new role and look forward to beginning this chapter with the SoCon."
White's involvement in wrestling, both as an official and Director of South Carolina Wrestling, led to his induction into the South Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. White has also served as the Director of the Southeastern Officials Association and the National Wrestling Officials Association and as an evaluator for the ACC, Ivy League, and Southern Conference.
His extensive philanthropic efforts have helped grow the sport on the collegiate level with assistance in starting programs at the NAIA and NCAA levels throughout the Southeast. His dedication to grassroots wrestling includes developing, managing, or operating numerous high school and collegiate tournaments, including the NHSCA Nationals held annually in Virginia Beach, Va. White has served as the Director of Wrestling for that event for over 20 years.
In addition to his recent Hall of Fame induction, White was presented with the South Carolina Administrators and Athletics Directors Service Award and received the Dan Gable Service Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Deno and his wife, Melinda, have two children and five grandchildren.
"Deno White brings unparalleled experience and passion to the Southern Conference, and we couldn't be more excited to have him leading our wrestling operations," said Southern Conference Commissioner Dr. Michael Cross. "With over four decades in the sport and his deep relationships throughout wrestling communities across the Southeast, Deno understands what it takes to provide our coaches and student-athletes with an exceptional championship experience. The tremendous success of this year's Explore Asheville Southern Conference Wrestling Championship demonstrates the incredible potential we have to elevate our sport even further. Under Deno's leadership, we're committed to building on that momentum and ensuring our wrestling programs continue to thrive at the highest levels of NCAA competition."
Appalachian State, Bellarmine, Campbell, Chattanooga, The Citadel, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, and VMI comprise the Southern Conference's wrestling membership. Those nine programs had 17 wrestlers compete in the 2025 NCAA National Championships this past March in Philadelphia.