David Miller will begin his duties as the Director of Athletics at Upper Iowa University on Monday, May 18.

March 30, 2009

President Walker's comments from the press conference.

Upper Iowa University President Dr. Alan Walker announced today that David Miller will be the new Director of Athletics. Miller will begin his duties on Monday, May 18. Miller, a Manning, Iowa native spent the last two years as the Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, an NCAA Division II institution with Division I men's ice hockey.

"Following the departure of Gil Cloud, who led the transition at Upper Iowa from NCAA Division III to Division II and paved the way for membership in the Northern Sun Conference, Upper Iowa undertook a national search for a new leader who has the vision, experience, and character to help us reach a new level of excellence in athletic competition and academic success, and to build upon the legacy entrusted to us from such names as Dorman, McCready, Eischeid, Sanger, Exline, Bushkofsky, Day, Prochaska, Tierney, Heller, and a whole host of others," stated President Walker. He continued, "David Miller comes to Upper Iowa with twenty years of progressively responsible athletic administration experience including success at external cultivation and fundraising, fiscal and budget management, strategic planning, conference and national committee service, university relations, NCAA compliance, project management, sport management, marketing, Title IX compliance, facilities management and event management."

Under Miller's leadership, the athletics program at the University of Nebraska-Omaha has won six conference championships with 13 teams advancing to post-season play while accumulating an overall grade point average of 3.15. Earlier this month, the Nebraska-Omaha wrestling team dominated the NCAA Division II Championships and claimed the national title.

"I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of Upper Iowa University's future and about this position both personally and professionally. I want to thank Dr. Walker and the search committee; I am both grateful and humbled by the confidence they have shown in me," said Miller. He stated, "I was attracted to Upper Iowa after learning more about the leadership, direction and progressiveness of the university; Upper Iowa is an ascending university. As the university grows I am excited that the athletics department will be participating and benefiting as well. Dr. Walker, the university, and I all agree in a belief that the mission and vision of any university should be student-centered while developing global citizens who will be lifelong learners and leaders in our society. "

Miller's career in college athletics began when he was the Intercollegiate Athletics Logistics Manager at the United States Air Force Academy from 1989 through 1995.

From 1995-96, he was an Assistant Athletic Director at Truman State University, responsible for facilities, tickets and event management.

From Truman State, Miller moved on to become the Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations at Ohio University, serving in that capacity from 1996-2000.

Prior to his time at Ohio, Miller was the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities, Operations and Programs at Southern Methodist University from the summer of 2000 until 2007, when he was named the Athletic Director at UNO.

Miller explained, "I believe that the focus of an athletic department should be on its student-athletes and a positive student-athlete experience. This experience starts with academic success culminating with graduation; it also encompasses athletic success that not only includes being competitive within our conference but contending for post season consideration. A positive student-athlete experience also includes personal, social, and civic development and responsibility."

"I will be meeting with the head coaches and staff to set the course and direction of the department; however, as we move forward my goals include, first and foremost, providing a positive student-athlete experience. I also want to ensure that the athletic department is an integral part of the university, participating in the growth of the university, and is a focal point of interest for our students, faculty, staff, and community. In addition, it is important that we actively engage and reach out to the entire Upper Iowa community with a renewed emphasis on our former student-athletes. I am looking forward to visiting with our alumni and former student-athletes about the future of Peacock athletics," said Miller.

Miller earned a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a bachelor degree in business administration from Regis University. He also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1995.

Miller and his wife Darla have two daughters, Jenna and Cara.

Upper Iowa, located in Fayette, Iowa, boasts the only NCAA Division II athletics program in the state of Iowa. The Peacocks are a member of and compete within the premier Division II conference in the nation, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The NSIC has claimed six National Championships since 2006 in football, women's basketball, and twice in both women's volleyball and men's basketball.