TEMPE —Dr. Fred Miller, a member of the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away Oct. 22 at age 86. Miller became part of the Sun Devil family in 1971 and served as Athletic Director and a professor of physical education.
"Fred Miller's vision and leadership for the Sun Devil Athletic Department in a time when it was advancing itself on all fronts will always be appreciated," Sun Devil Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson said. "Because of the work of Fred and his staff, the Pacific-10 Conference became a reality as did facility upgrades and more opportunities for women's sports. He hired Hall of Fame coaches and played a huge role as baseball, men's track and field and wrestling won NCAA titles. Fred Miller's contributions continue to make an impact at Arizona State."
Miller earned an associate's degree from Santa Monica City College and bachelor's degree from the College of Pacific (now University of Pacific). While at Pacific, Miller was awarded varsity letters in football, track and field, tennis, and rugby. After graduating in 1953, he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy and was on duty in Korea aboard an LST. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Miller played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins. He ended his professional career playing many seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Afterward, Miller earned a master's degree in education from the University of Southern California. He furthered his education in 1963 by completing his doctorate of physical education at Indiana University.
In 1964, Miller began his athletics administration career at Long Beach State University as the assistant director of athletics. He was promoted to athletic director in 1967 and remained there until 1971. Miller helped to establish the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, which is now known as the Big West Conference. In addition, he managed the 49ers move from college division to university division athletics competition. Miller also served as the chairman of Long Beach's Athletic Board of Control.
From 1971-80, he transformed ASU and Sun Devil Athletics by adding 10 women's varsity sports to an 11 sport, all-male program. Miller also launched private fundraising efforts in order to renovate and develop six campus athletic facilities, including: Packard Baseball Stadium, Joe Selleh Track, Sun Angel Track Stadium, Sun Devil Tennis Stadium, Whiteman Tennis Center, and University Aquatic Center. Due to his fundraising efforts, tax dollars were not spent on the facility renovations. In addition, Miller began the development of 10 acres of practice athletics fields as well as the land acquisitions for the Karsten Solheim Championship Golf Course. He also organized the development of the $23 million recreational complex and the Sun Devil Stadium Expansion project, Arizona State University Activity Center. In conjunction with his career at ASU, Miller immersed himself in the broadcast world by joining ESPN as a consultant and sports analyst. While there, he acted as the main negotiator for ESPN's contracts with NCAA Football, NCAA Championships, CFA Football and Thursday Night Football.
Miller was the Athletic Director at San Diego State University from 1985-1995. While at SDSU, he served on various committees, including: the NCAA's TV Committee, Committee on Committees, and Volleyball Tournament and Rules Committee. Miller was influential in gaining student support to build SDSU's Aztec Recreation Center and Viejas Arena and also launched a corporate sponsorship program to fund scholarships. He also served as the chief administrative officer for a variety of NCAA regional and national championships. Furthermore, he was a founding member of the Fiesta Bowl.
In addition to ASU, Miller has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame at Long Beach State, SDSU and NACDA. He previously served as NACDA president and Executive Committee member. Miller was awarded the 41st NACDA Corbett Award in 2007, which is the highest honor given to a collegiate athletics administrator.
SUN DEVIL DIRECTORS OF ATHLETICS
Fred M. Irish, 1896-1913
George Schaeffer, 1914-1916
George Edwin Cooper, 1917-1921
Ernest Wills, 1922
Aaron M. McCreary, 1923-1929
Ted Edwin Shipkey, 1930-1932
Rudolf M. Lavik, 1933-1949
Donn Kinzle, 1949-1952
Donald R. Van Petten, 1952-1954
Clyde B. Smith, 1955-1971
Fred L. Miller, 1971-1980
Joe Kearney, 1980
Dick Tamburo, 1980-1984
Frank Sackton (interim), 1984-1985
Charles S. Harris, 1985-1995
Dr. Christine K. Wilkinson (interim), 1995-1996, 2000, 2005
Dr. Kevin White, 1996-2000
Gene Smith, 2000-2005
Lisa Love, 2005-2012
Steve Patterson, 2012-14
Ray Anderson, 2014-present
"Fred Miller's vision and leadership for the Sun Devil Athletic Department in a time when it was advancing itself on all fronts will always be appreciated," Sun Devil Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson said. "Because of the work of Fred and his staff, the Pacific-10 Conference became a reality as did facility upgrades and more opportunities for women's sports. He hired Hall of Fame coaches and played a huge role as baseball, men's track and field and wrestling won NCAA titles. Fred Miller's contributions continue to make an impact at Arizona State."
Miller earned an associate's degree from Santa Monica City College and bachelor's degree from the College of Pacific (now University of Pacific). While at Pacific, Miller was awarded varsity letters in football, track and field, tennis, and rugby. After graduating in 1953, he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy and was on duty in Korea aboard an LST. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Miller played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins. He ended his professional career playing many seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Afterward, Miller earned a master's degree in education from the University of Southern California. He furthered his education in 1963 by completing his doctorate of physical education at Indiana University.
In 1964, Miller began his athletics administration career at Long Beach State University as the assistant director of athletics. He was promoted to athletic director in 1967 and remained there until 1971. Miller helped to establish the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, which is now known as the Big West Conference. In addition, he managed the 49ers move from college division to university division athletics competition. Miller also served as the chairman of Long Beach's Athletic Board of Control.
From 1971-80, he transformed ASU and Sun Devil Athletics by adding 10 women's varsity sports to an 11 sport, all-male program. Miller also launched private fundraising efforts in order to renovate and develop six campus athletic facilities, including: Packard Baseball Stadium, Joe Selleh Track, Sun Angel Track Stadium, Sun Devil Tennis Stadium, Whiteman Tennis Center, and University Aquatic Center. Due to his fundraising efforts, tax dollars were not spent on the facility renovations. In addition, Miller began the development of 10 acres of practice athletics fields as well as the land acquisitions for the Karsten Solheim Championship Golf Course. He also organized the development of the $23 million recreational complex and the Sun Devil Stadium Expansion project, Arizona State University Activity Center. In conjunction with his career at ASU, Miller immersed himself in the broadcast world by joining ESPN as a consultant and sports analyst. While there, he acted as the main negotiator for ESPN's contracts with NCAA Football, NCAA Championships, CFA Football and Thursday Night Football.
Miller was the Athletic Director at San Diego State University from 1985-1995. While at SDSU, he served on various committees, including: the NCAA's TV Committee, Committee on Committees, and Volleyball Tournament and Rules Committee. Miller was influential in gaining student support to build SDSU's Aztec Recreation Center and Viejas Arena and also launched a corporate sponsorship program to fund scholarships. He also served as the chief administrative officer for a variety of NCAA regional and national championships. Furthermore, he was a founding member of the Fiesta Bowl.
In addition to ASU, Miller has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame at Long Beach State, SDSU and NACDA. He previously served as NACDA president and Executive Committee member. Miller was awarded the 41st NACDA Corbett Award in 2007, which is the highest honor given to a collegiate athletics administrator.
SUN DEVIL DIRECTORS OF ATHLETICS
Fred M. Irish, 1896-1913
George Schaeffer, 1914-1916
George Edwin Cooper, 1917-1921
Ernest Wills, 1922
Aaron M. McCreary, 1923-1929
Ted Edwin Shipkey, 1930-1932
Rudolf M. Lavik, 1933-1949
Donn Kinzle, 1949-1952
Donald R. Van Petten, 1952-1954
Clyde B. Smith, 1955-1971
Fred L. Miller, 1971-1980
Joe Kearney, 1980
Dick Tamburo, 1980-1984
Frank Sackton (interim), 1984-1985
Charles S. Harris, 1985-1995
Dr. Christine K. Wilkinson (interim), 1995-1996, 2000, 2005
Dr. Kevin White, 1996-2000
Gene Smith, 2000-2005
Lisa Love, 2005-2012
Steve Patterson, 2012-14
Ray Anderson, 2014-present