Sports
Former Kansas State athletics director Steve Miller dies at age 81
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Former Kansas State athletics director Steve Miller, who helped sow the seeds for a historic turnaround in Wildcats football, died on June 15 at his home in Portland, Oregon at the age of 81, according to a K-State news release.
Miller spent nine years at K-State — five as head track and field coach (1981-86), one as associate AD and director of the Mike Ahearn Scholarship Fund (1987-88) and the last three as athletics director. But he was best known for the Nov. 30, 1988, hiring of Bill Snyder as Wildcats’ football coach, which led to the resurrection of a program once described by Sports Illustrated as “Futility U.”
A celebration of life for Miller has been planned for 3 p.m. PT on July 7 at the Ritz Carlton in Portland.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Miller, a true K-Stater who led our department during some of the most critical times in our history,” K-State athletics director Gene Taylor said in a statement. “Obviously his hiring of coach Snyder is well documented, but he also was a longtime figure in the track and field world and was a leader in that space for decades.
“From the first time I met Steve he became a trusted friend and over the last few years provided me great guidance and advice from his vast experience in the sports industry. He will truly be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
While credited with bringing future hall of famer Snyder to Manhattan as a first-time college head coach, Miller was a decorated coach in his own right. In 2005, he was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
His 23-year career in track included 21 as head coach at Bloom Township High School (1965-76), Cal Poly (1976-81) and K-State. After leaving Manhattan, he served as an administrator with Nike, the Professional Bowlers Association and Agassi Graf Holding, and as a faculty member at the University of Oregon.
In addition to Snyder, Miller hired Dana Altman as men’s basketball coach in April of 1990.
Miller was born in Chicago on Sept. 9, 1943, and competed in track and football at Bradley University before a brief stint in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, daughter Claudine and son Christopher.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.