Hall of Fame
David Miller, 2011 - A legendary figure in the Leatherneck track and field program, Miller competed for the Leathernecks as a student-athlete then later served as head coach from 1976 until 2000.
His Western career began during his undergrad years as a four-year letterwinner in cross country (1961-64) and track/field (1962-64, 1967). Miller received his bachelor's degree in education in 1967. He taught in the Peoria school district from 1967-70, and for 10 years was the head coach for the Peoria Track Club/Peoria Pacettes Track Club.
The Pacettes team began an impressive streak of placing at nationals, starting with a runner-up finish at the Young Women's track and field national championship in 1974. The program took second in the 1975 Women's cross country and fifth in the 1975 Young Women's cross country nationals. The following year Peoria turned in a sixth place finish at the Young Women's cross country national championship.
Miller coached three Peoria national champions: Kim Schofield in the long jump (1972, 1973) and Madelyn Manning Jackson in the 800 meters (1976). Ivory Crockett set a world and national record in the 100-yard dash in 1974 and two years later Manning Jackson set the United States 800-meter standard. Schofield qualified for the 1973 national junior women's team, and Manning Jackson qualified for the 1976 Olympics.
The success he enjoyed at Peoria was brought to the Western Illinois program immediately. Western won five straight Illinois State Intercollegiate cross country titles from 1977 through 1981, and three straight Illinois State Intercollegiate track and field titles from 1978-80.
Western placed 11th nationally at the 1977 AIAW cross country nationals and finished 25th at the 1978 national meet. After joining the Gateway Conference, the program captured an outdoor track and field title in 1985, cross country in 1985, indoor track and field in 1986, and the 1996 Mid-Continent Conference outdoor track and field championship.
One of the most decorated track and field athletes in Western history competed for Coach Miller. Patty Murray won the 10,000 meters title at the 1987 NCAA Championships and placed fourth at the TAC Nationals later that year. Murray won the World Junior Women's 10K title in 1987 and took third at the Pan Am Games. She also participated in the 1988 Olympic trials.
Miller and his wife Linda (1989 WIU graduate) are the parents of: Matthew (WIU graduate), Alex, Beth, Theresa (deceased), Will, Christy (WIU graduate) and Sara. Miller and his wife reside in Macomb.
