Athletic director celebrates 30 years at North Central

May 2016 marks the 30-year anniversary of the hiring of one of the most influential people in North Central’s athletic program.

Athletic Director Jim Miller, who was a 1986 graduate from North Central College himself, started his first job at the college the year after he graduated as an assistant wrestling coach. Miller would eventually pave the way for a new and improved Cardinal athletic program.

After becoming the head wrestling coach, assistant football coach, and a full-time instructor at North Central College only a few years after his initial hiring, the Cardinals knew they had something special in Miller. With that, they really cranked up his role and responsibility in the athletic department. He was named athletic director in 2005 and every sport on campus began to reap benefits from Miller’s experience.

“It may sound cliché but I really became a coach of the coaches,” said Miller. “Sometimes they need an arm around them or other times they might need a kick in the pants or a reality check, but you really can never overlook a relationship with your coaches.”

Before Miller became the athletic director, he built up the wrestling program to win the CCIW Wrestling Championship as a team.  In addition to that championship, he lead the team to seven other runner-up finishes. His wrestling coaching legacy earned him two North Central College Coach of the Year awards and eventually, in 2015, a spot in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

“People asked me ‘Why didn’t you just stay coaching and teaching? You could have done that as long as you wanted,’” said Miller. “But I wanted to be in a leadership role. I always have.”

Now overseeing all 23 Cardinal sports teams, Miller has had a chance to expand his influence to a much broader audience. He has lead these programs to win 60 CCIW team championships, nine DIII National Championships and 25 Individual national championships. He has even helped to add four more varsity sports to the North Central athletics program, including women’s triathlon.

Any college would be proud of Miller’s accomplishments, but Miller has enjoyed his career as a coach and athletic director for more reasons than just the glory of those successes. He is proud of every aspect of the organization he runs, but it comes down to the relationships he has built.

“The number one theme is really that I have enjoyed the relationships with the coaches and seeing the student athletes and their teams enjoy the success they have had,” said Miller. “I have been able to pick the brains of a lot of great people.”

Miller’s ability to lead and inspire athletes is not a skill that was spontaneously acquired. Miller was a captain of both the wrestling team and football team his senior year at North Central. His father, who was in the Army and worked on a farm, raised him to do things with work ethic and discipline, preparing him to build a good base to be a leader in his future.  

“This job is not that difficult if you are honest, decisive, organized, and check your ego at the door,” Miller said. “Ultimately we’re all going to be remembered for how you treat people. Not the things you may have done. You don’t need to preface all of that.”

Jim Miller has had many successes in his various Cardinal athletics staff positions in the past 30 years and does not appear to be slowing down on his quest to make North Central athletic teams the best they can be.