Aberdeen, SD -- The Northern State University Wolves Club is proud to announce the creation of the Miller Way Football Scholarship as a tribute to former Head Football Coach Dennis Miller and his NSU legacy. Created by former players from all of the years of the Miller era, the scholarship has raised over $15,000 thus far.

The Miller Way Annual Football Scholarship will be awarded to a football student-athlete each year that demonstrates the characteristics of Coach Miller – hard work, integrity, and commitment to excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in life.

Miller led the Northern State University football team from 1986-97, compiling a 77-55 record in 12 seasons with the Wolves. He joined the NSU ranks after four seasons as the receivers and linebackers coach for Brigham Young University, where the Cougars claimed the national championship in 1984. The Graceville, Minn. native tallied nine winning seasons while at NSU, including a career best 9-2 record in 1986, just one season after the Wolves had gone 3-6-1 under the previous coach. From 1986-1993, the Wolves were frequently found in the NAIA National Rankings, climbing as high as No. 4 in 1989. In 1990, Northern captured their first NSIC Championship going 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the league. NSU added their second NSIC Championship in 1992, going 5-1 in league action. In addition to the two NSIC titles, Miller's teams also tallied four runner-up finishes, three third place finishes, and two fourth place finishes. He was awarded the NSIC Coach of the Year title in 1986, 1990, and 1992. In his 12 seasons with the Wolves, he coached 51 first team all-conference selections and 15 All-Americans. Following his tenure at NSU, Miller became the head coach at Wisconsin Lutheran College, where he is still at the helm today. The Warriors have seen 137 first team all-conference selections and four players of the year in the NACC under Miller's tutelage. He currently holds a career record of 141-150 through 28 seasons.

In describing Coach Miller's philosophy, Andy Fields (94-98) said, "he never compromised the integrity of the program for a win.  Leading by example, his priority was helping young men grow and develop first as stand-up citizens, second as football players."
 
Frank Birch (93-96) added, "he brought in kids from all over the country and varying backgrounds and made them a part of the Wolves family.  When people ask me about my college football experience, I always tell them it was amazing.  When they ask about my head coach I always tell them that I would trust my own sons to play for him."
 
Charles Fitzgerald (93-96) further commented, "with time you realize the principles that Coach Miller advocated and instilled in his players have had a lasting impact on our lives.  I am excited to be a part of honoring Coach Miller thru the creation of the Miller Way Football Scholarship and hope that all of his players will join me in supporting NSU and honoring Coach Miller."

The Wolves Club is committed to ensuring all NSU sport programs have the scholarships necessary to bring in high quality student-athletes and compete for championships in the best conference in the country. Recently, the NSIC Board of Directors voted to remove all caps on men's scholarships, thus NSU football now has the ability to offer 36 scholarships, the NCAA maximum. NSU has been at the maximum level in the NSIC for the past few years – 28, but now there is eight new scholarships to fund in order to remain competitive. One full scholarship is approximately $17,500 per year, thus the "Miller Way" scholarship will be one small step to help reach this goal.

All NSU friends, fans and alumni are encouraged to contribute to the Miller Way Football Scholarship.  To make a gift to the "Miller Way" scholarship online: nsuwolves.com » Support » Give Now! (Simply select 'Athletics' select 'The Miller Way Scholarship" in the drop down box.)  
 
You can also make a gift by printing out the pledge card above and returning it to:

NSU Foundation
620 15^th Ave SE
Aberdeen, SD  57401

Please contact the Austin Hieb with NSU Athletics at 605-228-9514 or e-mail wolvesclub@northern.edu with any questions and to learn more about the impact of the Miller Way Scholarship.

For the latest information on the Wolves Football team, make sure to check out nsuwolves.com. You can also find the team on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Go Wolves!