Miller sees prep world from other side
John Miller now sees things from the other side as a new assistant executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (and a rare hire from within the state school system).
“In the past it was always ‘they,’ ” Miller said via a telephone conversation from his offices in Renton. “They is ‘me’ now.”
I’ve known Miller since covering his football days at West Valley and always appreciated his forthrightness as the athletic director at both Mead and Mt. Spokane.
He was part of the comprehensive structuring of Mead’s athletic strategy and was always an advocate for athletes, something he said he misses in his new capacity.
“I’m getting out and seeing games here,” he said. “But I don’t have daily contact with kids and certainly miss that.”
Now, in his capacity he oversees football, boys and girls soccer, wrestling, softball and theater, and views things from a different perspective. Along with the rest of WIAA staff, Miller serves the wishes of the representative assembly and executive board made up of state school administrators who propose the rules. If people disagree with change, sometimes the perception is that it is the WIAA’s fault.
“We try to take guidance from the executive board and turn it into everyday application,” said Miller, who added what he might have wanted as an A.D. in Spokane is not always what schools in, say, Vancouver want.
Current concerns are monetary, with schools trying to stay within diminishing budgets while maintaining programs communities have come to expect, Miller said.
“During two days of National Federation meetings, that was one of the main topics,” he said. “It’s tougher for families, corporation dollars are tougher to come by as well. Everyone is cinching their belt up tighter.”
One of this year’s state tournament changes – to put Eastside football teams on one side of a bracket in an effort to minimize travel costs – comes at the behest of administrators, if to the chagrin of coaches.
He’s still getting a handle on his new job, but said he has learned in his new locale that as a motorcyclist he’s now classified an HOV (high occupancy vehicle) driver, who can ride in the car pool lane and “park free virtually anywhere,” including at Mariners games. He’s toured new vistas and seen new things.
“As you know, I’ve lived all my life in Spokane,” he said. “But it’s been a good change so far and been energizing.”
New class, big win
Colfax is still getting used to its new 2B digs, but the football team made itself right at home with last week’s 20-10 victory over defending state champion DeSales.
The final TD came on a 55-yard Alex Tiede interception return in the final 40 seconds.
“It was intense until the last seconds of the game,” coach Mike Morgan said. “I was just thrilled.”
Colfax’s new backfield and young – if experienced – line are still learning the nuances of the option offense. The team is entering a league, with a home game against Springdale, in which players are still names on paper rather than familiar faces.
“We didn’t have a parade, there were no celebrations,” Morgan said of the win. “There was no benefit other than playing a quality opponent and knowing we can compete.”
GSL football week
Tonight, 6:30, Joe Albi Stadium, Lewis and Clark (2-1, 1-1) vs. East Valley (1-2, 1-2); Friday, 5:30 p.m. Mead (1-2, 1-2) vs. North Central (0-3, 0-3), Albi; Ferris (3-0, 3-0) vs. Mt. Spokane (2-1, 1-1), 8 p.m., Albi; Shadle Park (2-1, 2-1) at Central Valley (3-0, 3-0), ; Rogers (0-3, 0-2) at University (1-2, 1-2); Lake City (2-1, 1-0) at Gonzaga Prep (2-1, 2-1), all 7 p.m.
Area games of note
Great Northern League: Gets going full-bore this week with a pivotal early-season contest, Colville at Pullman. Both are 2-1, with Pullman’s Greyhounds losing by a touchdown to unbeaten Lewiston, and the Indians by a point to Sandpoint after leading by two touchdowns.