Jim Miller ’89 enrolled at Wichita State intending to pursue a degree that would get him into parks and recreation; instead, it got him into Sooner red and Olympic rings.
After Miller discovered that the University of Oklahoma was one of the few Division I colleges offering paid internships to sports management students, he headed south, never dreaming the journey would lead to the “hobby” he enjoys today.
As an intern at OU, Miller worked as coordinator for events and facilities. Once, an announcer didn’t show up for a women’s basketball game — he had fallen asleep on his couch. Filling in for that missing Sooner was Miller’s first gig at stadium announcing, a job he’s had ever since. In fact, some years, he’s announced Sooner home-game football, basketball, baseball and more.
In 1995, the U.S. Gymnastics Association hired Miller to announce its events. This led to the opportunity of an announcer’s lifetime: announcing the Olympic Games. Miller announced both the U.S. Olympic trials and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He says that was an experience without equal.
Miller is preparing to announce his sixth Family Circle Cup, slated for April 10-18, for women’s professional tennis. He says, “Women’s tennis is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done — and it’s great fun.”
