Warhawk baseball facility named for long-time coach

September 14, 2009

James B. Miller Stadium is the new name of the baseball facility at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The UW System Board of Regents approved the naming during its Sept. 10-11 meeting at UW-Whitewater.

Naming the stadium for Miller reflects his long-time role in UW-Whitewater's baseball program and the Intercollegiate Athletic Department. Miller served as head baseball coach for 17 years and retired as coach in 2003 after setting a school-record 416 victories. He remains with the department, beginning his 41st year. He is a three-time Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association College Coach of the Year and a three-time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Miller led the Warhawks to seven NCAA Division III play-off appearances, in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2001 and 2003. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003 and the UW-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

"When you start out as a coach you're not looking for these honors...you just want to win the next game," Miller said. "I've been very fortunate to have been able to stay at UW-Whitewater and build up a strong resume. It's very flattering to think that in 50 years from now my name will be on something. It's just unbelievable."

"'Mills' has invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Warhawk baseball and personally I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this naming opportunity than he," Intercollegiate Athletics Director Paul Plinske said. "He and his wife, Carol, have given of their personal resources in ways that have significantly enhanced the student-athlete experience."

Jim Miller is a 1965 graduate of UW-Whitewater. Carol Miller is a 1966 UW-Whitewater graduate and serves as the university's director of financial aid. Both Jim and Carol are recipients of UW-Whitewater's distinguished alumni award.

Miller gives Carol much of the credit for his success at UW-Whitewater. "It's not easy being a coach's wife," he said. "I sincerely appreciate her support throughout this whole endeavor."

Miller Stadium will be the exclusive site for Warhawk baseball and includes Prucha Field. The stadium is located in the Kachel Family Sports Complex.

Prucha Field is currently undergoing $900,000 in facility upgrades including an upgraded sound system, new warning track, new masonry backstop with suspended netting, extensions to the dugouts, new bullpens, underground irrigation in the outfield and an indoor shower and bathroom. The infield will feature synthetic turf. The enhancements should be complete by Oct. 15.

Miller believes the finished complex will be one of the top 10 Division III baseball facilities in the country and better than most Division II and Division I facilities.

"We will be in a position to continue to recruit top-notch student athletes, and attract outside organizations to compete on campus and we will be in a better position to host conference and regional championships," Plinske said.

The Warhawks won the Division III national championship in 2005 and finished third in the national championship tournament in 2004 and 2008. UW-Whitewater has earned eight conference titles in the last decade.

Plinske said a formal dedication ceremony of Miller Stadium is planned for spring 2010.