Heather (Hirt) Miller

You know how when you're 18 and you imagine what your life will be like in 20 years? And then you get there, and you're 38, and yeah, it's pretty much what you thought it would be? I think I was always about 38 (well, maybe a little younger) even when I was 18! So here I am really at 38, and I'm married. I have 2 children, a boy and a girl. I've taught school and now I'm a stay-at-home mom. Those are the parts of my life I pretty much always pictured for myself. The parts that I wouldn't have predicted are being married to a college basketball coach, or really having a life that involves any kind of sport beyond little league. I don't think I'd ever imagined living in Kansas or Missouri. And I'm certain I never thought I'd be moving to the south! But that's exactly where we're headed later this summer, which is why it kills me that I won't be able to attend the reunion. But I would love to catch up with anyone who'd be interested in e-mailing (hhmiller@msn.com).

Another fact I had always predicted for myself: I always knew I'd go to college at my mom's alma mater, Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, to major in elementary education. My freshman roommates admitted sometime shortly after school started that since I was from New Mexico they just assumed I'd be either fluent in Spanish, or look like I'd be fluent in Spanish. There were not a whole lot of southwesterners at Luther College ! I loved college, but coming home for Christmas and summer vacations just made me appreciate my New Mexico roots all the more. Still, when I graduated after 4 years with a degree in elementary ed. and music, I knew I'd stay in the midwest, close to my college friends and to Ben Miller, a basketball player I'd met his senior year (my junior year). He was a jock and I was a choir girl, and still, how could we have never crossed paths in 3 years on a very small college campus?

After teaching elementary music for 1 year just north of Minneapolis, Ben and I married in Decorah in 1993. In keeping with the Iowa theme, we had our reception in a historic barn on campus. Then we moved to Lawrence, Kansas , where Ben was already in grad school working on a PhD in sport psychology at the University of Kansas. He graduated in 1995 and had hung around the men's basketball program enough to get hired as an administrative assistant. And my life as a coach's wife began!

In 1999, just before our daughter Elizabeth Rose (Betsie) was born, Ben was promoted to an assistant coaching position at KU. So after teaching 5th grade for 5 years, I decided to stay at home and raise Betsie, and support Ben and the Jayhawks from the stands.

I've never been an athlete, or known the difference between a defensive stance and a hook shot. But come to find out, I make a heck of a cheerleader. My vocal training has paid off! I love getting to know the players, their families, the fans (most of them), and other coaching families. I've had the opportunity to travel for tournaments in fun places. I've watched my husband coach in 2 Final Fours. It's been a fun career to be a part of, but not always an easy one.

Just afer our son Charles William (Charlie) was born in 2002, there was a coaching change at KU. We had a decision to make. Should we follow our KU buddies to the University of North Carolina , or should we stay at KU to work with and learn from a different coaching staff? We loved Lawrence, our kids had been born there, and we had great friends, so we decided to stay, even though Ben's position changed from a assistant coach to director of basketball operations (a fancy term for 'you get to do everything but coach'). Ben missed coaching, so 4 years ago we moved to Springfield, Missouri, so Ben could be an assistant coach again, and later associate head coach, at Missouri State University.

We've loved living in Springfield. I've met more great friends, participated in book club, and playgroup, and have volunteered at Betsie's school. (I don't feel like such a 'Mom type', but I look at that list, and sure enough. . . ). I've even found part time work recording an occasional radio jingle and teaching preschool.

This past spring, our coaching staff at Missouri State was let go. There's a saying in this profession that there are 2 kinds of coaches: The ones who have been fired and the ones who will be fired. Ben had felt the need for a change for a few years, so getting fired turned into an opportunity to make a full time job of seeking a head coaching position.

So this summer, we are preparing to move to southeastern North Carolina. I'm spending my days packing while simultaneously trying to keep my house clean enough to impress a potential buyer! Betsie is 8 now, and is participating in drama camp this summer, because she takes after her mother. She loves to sing and be on stage. Charlie is almost 6. He is playing baseball and going to basketball camp, because he clearly takes after his dad. He is really coordinated for his age and has taken to every sport he's tried. Fortunately for me, though they are so different, they are best buddies.

Ben has begun his new job as head men's basketball coach at the University of North Carolina -Pembroke. His first game as a head coach will be against our former KU friends who are now coaching at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. The Braves may just give those Tar Heels a run for their money. . . Regardless of the outcome, Betsie, Charlie, and I (along with a few friends from Lawrence and Springfield who will come to support us!) will be cheering wildly in the stands as usual!

PS. I have to say how I've been alternately fascinated, impressed, humbled, and humored when reading the bios that have been sent in. Thanks so much to those of you who have taken time for the daunting task of filling the rest of us in on your lives! And thanks, too, to the reunion committee for spending what I'm sure has been hours and hours planning both this site and the reunion itself. Have a great time - so wish I could be there. - Heather