2020 Enforcer Award Recipient – Howard White

The Maurice Lucas Foundation Enforcer Award is presented every year to a person who best embodies many of the characteristics that Maurice Lucas displayed both on and off the basketball court. Including how he motivated and empowered kids. The winner of the award this year is Howard White. His dedication to being a positive role model for children in our world shines brightly and the Maurice Lucas Foundation is proud to present this year’s Enforcer Award to Howard White.

Howard “H” White

Howard “H” White

Howard White, known by the letter “H” by many is not just a Vice President at the Jordan Brand, he represents the heart and soul of what the brand is all about. White was one of the driving forces behind turning the Air Jordan product line into the Jordan Brand in 1997 and has been a member of the brand ever since.

White joined Nike Inc. in 1982 after a stellar college career at the University of Maryland. The two surgeries simply let White see what he had to overcome, to accomplish his Goals and Dreams. After a second knee surgery in college, White focused on “Who” he was rather than “What” he was. Basketball played an important role in White’s life, but it didn’t dictate its outcome. His Mother once told him that “Any road will get you there if you don’t know where you are going”. So White always looked for the North Star. White’s North Star is people, each person he meets gives him a chance to see the “World” through someone else’s eyes.

Throughout his career, White has always shared his knowledge and experience with others to enrich the lives of children and those around him. A dynamic public speaker, White has focused on being a positive role model to children around the world through his “Believe to Achieve” programs and dialog. Originally presented in his book “Believe to Achieve: See the Invisible, Do the Impossible”, White founded Jordan’s “Believe to Achieve” youth movement. The movement inspires kids to reach their full potential through focus, sacrifice and positive role models. White was taught early on to focus on the simple messages in his life. White’s Mother, Lillian taught him at a young age to make up his bed every day because it creates discipline, structure, and habits.

White and his wife Donna reside in Portland, Oregon and are the proud parents of a daughter, Mandy. Mandy a 2-Time All-American track star, who helped lead the University of Oregon to three Pac-10 championships during her career, is now a professional track and field athlete.

Past Enforcer Award Recipients

• Enforcer Award 2011 Bill Russell
• Enforcer Award 2012 Nate McMillian
• Enforcer Award 2013 Bill Walton
• Enforcer Award 2014 Lionel Hollins
• Enforcer Award 2015 Bill “Rip City” Schonely
• Enforcer Award 2016 Sonny Hill
• Enforcer Award 2017 Larry Miller
• Enforcer Award 2018 Bobby Gross
• Enforcer Award 2019 Howard Hedinger
• Enforcer Award 2020 Howard White