AURORA – It felt like every interview after a win included a “we’re not here to eat pizza and drink soda” type of comment from head coach Marty Miller. And he was right. Waubonsie Valley was at the bowling alley to win championships. The Warriors did just that. Miller resigned following the conclusion of this season, so that he can work on other endeavors.
In a school that had struggled to win state championships (only three via girls soccer), the addition of Miller would be a welcome sight. Since 2009, the girls bowling team had won two state titles (2013 and ’14) and three more finishes in the Top 3 of the IHSA State Finals (2012, ’15, ’17)
During his tenures, Miller’s student-athletes not only excelled at the high school level, but went on to have bowling careers at college via full-ride scholarships. Most notably, 2014’s overall champion, Julia Bond, went on to the University of Nebraska, where she helped the Huskers to their tenth NCAA Championship in 2015.
“When Coach Miller came in, he changed the culture,” said Rachael Felton after Waubonsie’s 2014 championship title. “He changed everything we did. Just how we practiced, how long we practiced.”
“I think what we’ve done is build a program,” said Miller in 2014. “That means you’ve got to have a school behind you, the students, the administration, the faculty. They’ve all got to be behind you.”
“This has got to be the best feeling that there is, and to have done this back-to-back, a tremendous feeling.”
Miller said he will be moving on to focus on “coaching coaches” both in Illinois and nationally.