“You don’t get those years back,” said Stephanie White, reflecting on the years spent away from home as she returned to Indiana, drawn by a renewed commitment to family. Her words resonate deeply, encapsulating the tension many people feel as they balance the pursuit of career success with the longing for personal connections. For White, a former basketball player and now a coach, her decision to return to her roots in Indiana wasn’t just about proximity to family. It was about finding a way to live a life that was more integrated, more purposeful, and, perhaps most importantly, more connected to the people and values that had shaped her.
Born and raised in the Hoosier state, White’s career had taken her far from Indiana. After a successful playing career in the WNBA, she transitioned into coaching, taking positions at various colleges and ultimately landing at Vanderbilt. While her career flourished, the years she spent away from her family weighed heavily on her. She had reached a point where the demands of her professional life no longer felt aligned with the kind of life she wanted to live. Her role as a coach had become all-consuming, and the sacrifices made for her job had left her with an undeniable void: a disconnect from the very people who had supported her from the beginning.
It wasn’t just the long hours or the constant travel that took its toll. It was the realization that, while she had achieved professional success, she had lost time with her family — the very people who had always been there for her. In some ways, she had become disconnected from the very foundation of her identity. As much as she loved the game of basketball and her work as a coach, something was missing, something that was much more enduring than any championship title.
When Stephanie White made the decision to return to Indiana, it wasn’t a resignation, nor was it a retreat from her career. Rather, it was a conscious choice to recalibrate her life, to take control of how she spent her time and energy. Her move back to Indiana allowed her to reconnect with the people who mattered most. It allowed her to rediscover the parts of herself that had been put on hold — her role as a daughter, sister, and aunt. It gave her a chance to prioritize her personal life without sacrificing the very thing she loved about coaching: making an impact on young athletes.
In many ways, White’s return to Indiana is part of a larger narrative about the choices people make in the prime of their lives. As she entered the next chapter of her career, she embraced a deeper sense of purpose that came from living more deliberately. “You don’t get those years back,” she says, acknowledging that the passage of time is one of life’s greatest constants, but also one of its most profound challenges. In this age of constant connectivity and hyper-competition, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most — the people and relationships that nourish us.
White’s return also represents a shift in how people think about success. In our society, we often measure success through professional accolades and external validation. For White, however, success has become more about harmony — finding a balance between work and life, and between her professional aspirations and personal commitments. The pressure to “have it all” often results in burnout or a sense of unfulfillment. But for White, fulfillment has come from making a conscious decision to put family first.
While her return to Indiana marked a significant change in her career, it didn’t mean she was giving up on her ambitions as a coach. Instead, it became an opportunity to bring those ambitions closer to home. Now, as head coach at Purdue University Fort Wayne, White has a chance to inspire a new generation of athletes while doing so in an environment where her values are supported and her priorities are clear. She’s able to be a mentor to young athletes, teaching them not only about the game but about the importance of balance and maintaining strong relationships with the people they care about.
Stephanie White’s story speaks to something larger than just basketball or coaching. It’s a story about the complexities of life, the ways in which personal and professional identities intertwine, and the difficult decisions that come with understanding where and how to invest your time. As a coach, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the court, but as a person, she brings a depth of understanding about what it takes to live a full life — one that includes not only accomplishments but also relationships that stand the test of time.
Ultimately, Stephanie White’s return to Indiana is a reminder that life isn’t just about the chase for achievements or accolades. It’s about recognizing that time is precious and finite. The years we spend with family, with friends, and in the places that feel like home, are irreplaceable. White’s decision to return is a celebration of that truth. She’s found a way to be present for both her family and her players, showing that the most valuable thing we can do is spend time wisely with the people who matter most.
“You don’t get those years back.” With those words, White echoes a sentiment that many people — whether they’re athletes, professionals, or simply individuals trying to navigate the demands of modern life — can relate to. It’s a reminder that, at the end of the day, it’s the people we love and the moments we share with them that define a life well-lived.
