Programs

• Aquatics
• Club Sports
• Group Fitness
• Intramural Activities
• Personal Training
• Adventure Recreation
• Ice Skating
• Special Events

Staff

• Staff Directory
• Staff Intranet (secure)

Staff Interviews

ONE-on-ONE with

Gary Miller

Position: Associate Director

Education: BA, Business Administration; MS, Recreation; PhD, Physical Education

What made you decide to earn a degree in business administration?
I specialized in personnel management and was hired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad to become an on-campus interviewer for the company. I thought this would be a good way to travel around the country and work with people in a college setting.

What was your first recreational position? Your first professional position?
My first recreation position was as an Intramural official and field supervisor at the University of Illinois. I officiated football, basketball and softball in IM Sports. My first professional position was Director of Campus Recreation for California State University, Northridge in Northridge, California. I was the first full-time professional they hired and the only professional on staff.

What are your current job responsibilities?
I primarily work in three areas for the Division: (1) research; (2) field/building maintenance and construction; and (3) technology.

What is the best part about working for Campus Rec?
I would say that working with a college-aged population that changes every year. Although you hate to see some of the students graduate and leave the campus, you are always aware that new opportunities for friendship are coming with the next new class.

What is the most challenging aspect of working for Campus Rec?
Professionally, it's the re-education process of the service population that comes with each new year. We are a unique business that has to convince one-quarter of its clients each year that we have a great product that is valuable to them.

What are you most proud of accomplishing professionally?
Being part of the successful student referendum during the fall of 2001 that will eventually bring the students of the University of Illinois the best recreational facilities in the nation.

What are your future professional goals?
The renovation/expansion project for IMPE and CRCE (Wimpe) will occupy the majority of my foreseeable future.

What is the most memorable moment you've had while working for Campus Rec?
Most memorable to me was being asked to return to the University of Illinois in this position after sixteen years and three other jobs in California and Michigan.

What is your personal fitness philosophy?
I believe that every person can find the time, motivation, and activity that will allow them to develop a life-long fitness routine if they really want to.

Do you have a favorite quote you would like to include?
"Never postpone experiments that have clearly defined future benefits for fears of danger that can't be quantified."
– James D. Watson (Nobel Prize for Medicine 1953, discovered the structure for DNA.)