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NHCS Long-Time Athletic Director to Retire

New Hanover County Schools Athletic Director Joe Miller announced today he will retire on September 1, 2009.

Coach Miller began his 36-year career with NHCS in 1974 as the Head Football Coach at New Hanover High School where his record over his 20 years there was - 186 wins, 56 losses and 1 tie. He served eight of those years as the Athletic Director at New Hanover High School and then 15 years as the district’s Athletic Director. His career started with coaching stints in Georgia, Florida and at Kansas State University before coming to NHCS.

“I want everyone to know that I appreciate everything the County has done for me both personally and professionally. I’ve had a wonderful career with New Hanover County Schools and I’ve been very lucky to have worked under great athletic administrators like Leon Brogden, Wallace West, Buck Hardee and Spike Corbin,” Coach Miller said.

Coach Miller’s list of professional and athletic accomplishments is long and he has been honored many times over the years. As a coach, he led his teams to nine football conference championships and one Division 2 state championship. He was the 2004 NCHSAA Athletic Director of the Year, 2005 NCAAHPERD Athletic Director of the Year, 2005 NASPE Southeast Regional Athletic Director of the Year, and the 2006 President of the NC Athletic Directors Association.

Despite his many honors and accolades, the thing Coach Miller is most proud of is the number of students that he has coached that have gone on to college and into the workforce and have become productive citizens. Some of these students have even gone on to play professionally in the NFL, NBA and major league baseball. He calls them “great kids” who stay in touch and give back to the Wilmington community. They include people like Trott Nixon, Alge Crumpler and Clyde Simmons.

Other aspects of Coach Miller’s career that he’s proud of include:

• Improvements to athletic facilities over the years through various bond referendums.

• NHCS is the first system in the southeastern U.S. to have defibrillators, also known as AEDs, at every facility - one which was instrumental in saving a student’s life.

• The BB&T Football Jamboree - one of the largest athletic events in the region. Over this event’s 23-year history, it has raised over $800,000 in scholarships for NHCS student athletes.

• Leon Brogden Holiday Basketball Tournament - widely recognized as one of the best high school basketball tournaments in the nation with 40 teams participating from around the U.S.

• 1975-1976 Girls Softball State Championship: 59-1 Win/Loss record.

Assistant Superintendent Rick Holliday said this about Coach Miller’s retirement: “I’ve known Coach Miller a long time. He’s one of the most respected athletic personalities in the state of North Carolina and he will be missed.”

 

News/Announcements

5/14/09