In sports, it’s one thing to be a great coach. It’s quite another to attain a certain level of success that justifies one as a legend. It usually requires a long and successful career to be considered an institution. William Fleming High School’s George “Kila” Miller is considered by most as one of those rare, determined individuals whose personal accomplishments and accolades have transcended sports and made him a part of the Roanoke Valley’s greater tapestry—as a community leader, mentor, and educator.
Miller is a native of Roanoke and a graduate of William Fleming, where he was an All-State letterman in track, football, and wrestling. He then went on to Elizabeth City State University to pursue studies in Health and Physical Education. At the collegiate level, he was both a standout football player (Team Captain, 1971- CIAA-NAIA Champions) and wrestler (Team Captain his Junior and Senior seasons; three-time CIAA champion, NAIA District 29 Champion). He was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame for both sports.
During his academic career, Miller served as a health and physical education teacher at William Fleming High School for 16 years, and as a Hall Principal for 14 years. He also served as Principal of the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy for two years.
During his tenure, Miller served as assistant and head coach of Fleming’s football (three-time district Coach of the Year honors), wrestling (nine-time district Coach of the Year honors; Virginia State Coach of the Year honor; Regional II National Coach of the Year award), and track teams. He also served as the defensive coordinator for Roanoke’s semi-professional football teams: The Virginia Hunters/Roanoke Valley Express. He remains a coach for the Gator/Victory Boxing Club.
Miller has been a member of the Roanoke Parks and Recreation advisory board, served as Chairman of the Superintendent’s Athletic Committee for Roanoke City Public Schools, and a member of the Arms of Addison mentor program. The time that Miller has devoted to the youth of the community, and various civic and professional organizations has led to a long list of prestigious awards. He’s a member of the YMCA’s Hall of Fame, a recipient of the SCLS Martin Luther King Leadership Award, the NAACP Community Leaders’ Award, and holds one of Roanoke’s “Keys to the City.”
Effective June 30, 2009, George Miller retired from service with the Roanoke City Public Schools system after a career spanning nearly 35 years. There will be a reception in his honor July 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Valley View. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling 520-9928.