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APRIL 2019 13 "I knew that I wouldn't be coaching un- til retirement," Miller said. "I loved every minute of it, but knew there would be a time when it would come to an end. "When Jim Copeland gave me the chance to coach lacrosse and take on assistant AD responsibilities, I was told if administration didn't suit me I could go back to coaching. But it suited me. "When Terry Holland came, I knew I had to make a decision. Knowing I wouldn't be coaching my whole career, I decided to go full-time administration." Miller was unable to note anything in particular that stood out among all her ac- complishments as a coach. However, her interactions with her student-athletes remain special. "The most satisfying thing for me is staying in touch with my former student- athletes," she said. "When we get together we don't talk about wins and losses. We walk about the great memories we had off the field. "A number of my former student-athletes became coaches. Julie Myers is the lacrosse coach at UVA. Jenny Slingluff is the head lacrosse coach at UNC and also the national team coach. They've both won national championships. Bonnie Rosen is the head lacrosse coach at Temple." Miller realizes being a student-athlete and a coach is not the same as when she first began playing sports at Northeastern, where she was elected to the university's Hall of Fame in 1983. "I think a lot has changed in the life of a student-athlete just like the life of a coach is much different now than when I was coach- ing," she said. "The stakes are higher be- cause the rewards are higher. The pressure has increased exponentially over time. "With that sometimes come expectations, like parents knowing how things should work on a team. Team dynamics and what team means haven't changed. "But I think individual expectations have changed in that respect. I have great respect for the challenges they face that I didn't face." What didn't change during her career at Virginia was the impact Miller had on nu- merous student-athletes. "I hope that I've been a good role model for them as a woman and an administrator," Miller said. "I'm visible with the teams with which I work. When I work with them I hope they see I care about them even though I have to hold them accountable. "I really do enjoy student-athletes. I love giving the high fives after games. I try to be consistent whether they win or lose. I hope they see that as a positive thing." Just like Miller relished being a coach, the same has been the case as an adminis- trator. "I love being around so many coaches and student-athletes during competitions and seeing them succeed," she said. "The coaches have embraced me and let me stand on the sidelines during games. That's the joy of the job, being around the student- athletes and helping the coaches with their programs." Given all the time Miller's had to devote to her various positions, it seems like 24 hours in a day wouldn't be sufficient. But Miller was quick to give credit where credit was deserved. "I always had great assistants as a coach," she said. "They were very responsible for anything we achieved. Some were former student-athletes. Julie Dayton was one of my longtime assistants and played for me at Longwood College. "Here at Virginia, someone who's worked with me the last two years has been Jess Wilk, who was an All-American in field hockey and lacrosse at Maryland, and came back to work with me at the administrative level." During her career, Miller has been be- stowed a host of honors. In 1999, she received the Woman of Achievement Award from the UVA Wom- en's Faculty and Professional Association. In 2009, she received the President's Award for Exemplary Service to the ACC. Five years later, she received the Admin- istrator of the Year Award from Women's Leaders in College Sports, plus the Eliza- beth Zintl Award that is presented by the UVA Women's Center for "outstanding leadership and devotion to the university." Miller also is a member of the Virginia and New England chapters of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the U.S. Lacrosse Na- tional Hall of Fame. "I'm just so appreciative that I've been at a university in an athletic department that has the same core values I do and likes com- peting at the highest level," she said. "When I was growing up if anybody had told me my career would play out the way it has, I would have said, 'No chance.'" The decision to retire after the current academic year wasn't easy for her to make. "Two years ago [former UVA director of athletics] Craig Littlepage and I were talk- ing because my contract was coming up," she said. "I asked him for three years, but said it probably would be two. "The biggest thing for me has been my family. I have two sisters and a brother, plus several nieces and nephews. It's really time for me to do this. "It also was difficult from the standpoint of what [current UVA director of athletics] Carla Williams is planning with this depart- ment. It's been a great one and a half years working with her. "I love her leadership style. She's em- braced our program and put a grand plan on the table for us. I've told her I wish I was five years younger because I've enjoyed working with her. "I think the bottom line is Virginia is in a great place because it's a great academic in- stitution and President Jim Ryan and Carla are the right people for Virginia. "At least I'll be here by being a great fan," Miller added. "People will tell you when it's time. As things are right now, I knew it was time." "I'm just so appreciative that I've been at a university in an athletic department that has the same core values I do and likes competing at the highest level." MILLER ON HER 35 YEARS AT UVA Miller is the winningest coach in UVA's women's lacrosse history with a 12-year record of 144-44, highlighted by six NCAA Final Four appear- ances and two national championships (1991 and 1993). She also excelled as the school's field hockey coach, compiling a record of 100-65-7 in nine seasons. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA