INDIANAPOLIS — Sophie Cunningham says it wouldn’t take long to figure out Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White’s Midwestern roots.
“I’d notice her accent first, and then her hospitality,” said Cunningham, a Missouri native. “She’s got that Midwestern warmth, and I can recognize it anywhere.”
That welcoming nature has shaped the culture White is building in Indiana one centered on openness and honesty. Teammate Natasha Howard describes White as having an “open-door policy,” meaning players can approach her about anything. White, a former Fever player herself, knows how important it is for athletes to feel heard.
White played five seasons in the WNBA, four of them with Indiana. Before being drafted in the second round of the 1999 WNBA Draft, she starred at Purdue, where she led the Boilermakers to a national title under Hall of Fame coach Carolyn Peck. White credits Peck for showing her the value of accessibility as a leader.
“As players, we knew we could go to her and be heard. I wanted to be that kind of coach,” White said. “It’s about honesty, transparency, and creating space for players to share their concerns while also hearing mine.”
That openness extends to strategy. In the offseason, White spoke with Aliyah Boston about expanding her role beyond the low post and making her a central decision-maker. The result? Boston is averaging career highs in both points and assists this year. She credits White’s staff for creating confidence through connection.
“The coaches always make you feel confident in your game,” Boston said. “With that open-door policy, you know you can always go to them. It keeps you from doubting yourself.”
The Fever have needed that sense of trust in a season full of challenges. Caitlin Clark has missed 23 games with a groin injury. Guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson are sidelined long term, and Cunningham recently went down with an injury as well. Veteran DeWanna Bonner also chose to leave the team after just nine games.
Despite the setbacks, White’s focus remains on unity. “She makes sure we stay together through anything that happens, no matter what’s going on outside the locker room,” Howard said.
At 19-16, tied for sixth in the WNBA standings, the Fever’s season outcome is still uncertain. But the bond between coach and players is clear. After the team’s record-setting comeback win over Connecticut on Sunday, White delivered a tearful, heartfelt postgame speech a moment that reflected her deep personal investment.
“She’s just a genuine, caring person,” Cunningham said. “It’s not an act. She’s fun, she’s loving, she treats us like equals. Even during the grind of the season, she never puts herself above the team. That says everything about what we’re building here in Indiana.”
Be the first to comment