Farewell to Legendary Steve Miller

In 1965, a young man came to Bloom to start a second career. His first career dream of being a professional football player was shattered when his leg was severely damaged and career ending. Steve Miller had been heard many times in his later years that Bloom High School was the building blocks for his illustrious life. And so it began.

Steve was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 9, 1943. He attended Bradley University where he was a standout in football and track. He earned a bachelor's degree in English literature and physical education in 1965. After his short time with the Detroit Lions, Steve showed up to Bloom.

Coach Miller jumped right into teaching English and Physical Education and coaching football and track, landing the head track position 1970. His first year as head coach, Bloom’s team won their 16th consecutive district title and proved to be one of the top track powers in the Midwest. Bloom placed 4 individuals and 2 relay teams in the State finals with the mile relay team finishing a dead heat for the State Championship with 3:19.9 which set the conference, district and all-time Bloom record. The following year his team continued success in the State meet with freshman Tim Johnson pole vaulting in 3rd place with 14’0”, John Johnson running 48.3 in the 440-yard dash to win first, and the mile relay winning the State and breaking Bloom’s record with 3:17.7. Overall, Miller’s team placed 3rd in State and followed in 1972 with a 2nd place. His hurdler Dave Wycoff was State Champ in the 180 yd. low hurdles. In 1973 Coach Miller’s pole vaulter Tim Johnson won State and in 1974, his entire team placed 4th in State with Johnson repeating his State Champion win and selected as All American; Charles Hollis followed suit with State and All-American titles in the triple jump. Miller ended his Bloom coaching career with a 2nd place State win going head-to-head with State winner East St. Louis. They broke records and placed second by tenths of a second if not first as did Eddie Tate in triple jump and Mike McCrindle in pole vault.

Miller concluded his 7th year head coaching tenure with a 23 – 1 record, winning 129 meets and losing 9. His athletes set national, state and school records. Bloom won 7 straight conference and district titles, and placed in the top 3 in the State meets 3 times and in the top 10 every year. During his time at Bloom, Steve attended Governors State University and received a Master's in P.E. and Biomechanical Analysis.

Coach Miller left for California Polytechnic State University in 1976 for 5 years as Head Track and Field coach. He established himself as one of the most respected and successful coaches in the history of collegiate athletics. He led the Mustangs to 5 NCAA Division II National Championship titles and eight California Collegiate Athletic Association titles. He was inducted into the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2018 the Cal Poly Sports complex and field was named after him and his protégé John Capriotti (Bloom ’74).

In 1981, Steve left for Kansas State University as head track coach for the Wildcats for 5 years and 1 year as Athletic Director. He again led his teams to Big Eight Championship titles and was three-time District Coach of the Year. He also was the President and CEO of Pennsylvania’s Special Olympics in 1987 and then returned for 4 more years at Kansas as the Director of Athletics.

In 1991 to 2000 he took a position at Nike. When he retired from Nike he was Director of Global Sports Marketing. He then became president and CEO for the Professional Bowling Association. From 2000 to 2005 he was hired to “make bowling relevant” and only Steve good do that with his dynamic influence. In 2005 he was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and while at the University of Oregon, he served as an adjunct professor.

In recent years, Steve Miller sat on the Board of Directors for Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation and the Warsaw School of Sports Marketing at University of Oregon. In 2011 he became CEO of Agassi-Graf Holdings where he would oversee 3 for profit entities and 1 non-profit foundation.

Steve Miller coached 37 All-American and National Champs. He was named NCAA "Coach of the Year" five times. He served on the Board of Directors for the USA Track and Field Olympic team. He was named to 4 Hall of Fames. His vast experience in the sports world took him to places all over the world. He commanded a room like no other. His dynamic speaking skills intrigued listeners. His charm, personality and genuine smile lit up a room. His generosity and passion for all he touched made people love him.

After my student years at Bloom (Class of ’72), I was able to rub elbows with this legendary man at least a dozen times throughout life. Whether it was a Bloom event, the Olympics or his times in Vegas, I was able to interact and work with him. Despite his prestigious positions and influences on the world, he always treated me with the warmth of an old friend. Although many people have said this, I believe in a lot of our cases, it was because of Bloom.

One very special moment was when I called him from my husband’s (Larry McCoy ’71) hospital bed and asked him if he would help with Larry’s last dying wish. Steve did not hesitate and helped me plan another Bobbie Bell Awards Dinner. With my husband in a wheelchair, and Steve the keynote speaker, it was another magical night for Bloom alumni and staff.

The Daily Southtown quoted him as once saying, “Bottom line…Bloom High School was the best 10 years of my life.” I really hope that when he bumped into a lot of us students and athletes across the nation, that we made him smile and reminisce on the happy times at Bloom. That is the least we could have done for him in comparison to all he had done for others in his life. It makes sense that on July 7th a Celebration of Life for Steve will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Portland, Oregon. Rest well Coach Steve Miller. So many people will miss you. The things you did in life will remind us always what a remarkable man you were.