Coach Miller Receives UIL Award

The University Interscholastic League has recognized GHS Coach Rick Miller as a recipient of the 2022 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. Miller was among 15 other coaches from across the state to receive this award.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges in the areas of academics, athletics and music from nominations submitted by school principals and superintendents across the state.

The award, now in its 32nd year, was created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the education system.

“Coaches and teachers have such a difficult job, and they go beyond the call of duty to serve as UIL sponsors, coaches and directors,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “UIL events function and thrive on the dedication and immense effort from sponsors like these. On behalf of the UIL, I commend these outstanding educators.”

Each winner will receive $1,000 and a symbolic memento from the UIL in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the pursuit of educational excellence through interscholastic competition. UIL continually strives to strengthen and promote the role of extracurricular activities in Texas through programs and awards such as this one.

“UIL competition develops well-rounded students by providing opportunities that promote motivation, goal-setting, a strong work ethic, and the importance of perseverance,” Miller said. “It is through competitive activities that students learn the importance of teamwork, build self-confidence, develop self-discipline, and learn the need for good sportsmanship. Life lessons are best learned through competition where students can experience personal growth that will serve them well in the future.”

With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Coach Miller has spent the past 11 years as the head cross country and track and field coach at GHS. Miller has led his cross country teams to three state championships, with three individual state champions and seven regional titles. His cross country teams have won 41 out of 42 district championships (junior varsity and varsity) during his tenure. Miller has also been named High School Cross Country Coach of the Year three times. In track, he has led eight individual state qualifiers, with two of them winning a gold medal. Miller was also a baseball coach in El Paso for 13 years before switching roles. His teams advanced to the state playoffs eight times, and he was elected as a member of the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.