Posted on June 11, 2012
Al Miller joins a distinguished group in the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, in Murphy Hall at the El Dorado Conference Center. Al will join the special group that includes two other athletes Jim Mooty and Wayne Harris along with others including Charles H. Murphy, Jr., Chesley Pruet, J. Thomas May, William C. Nolan, Cecil Kellum, Alva Waddell, Jolley "Hap? Hanry, Robert G. Dudley, Dr. Don B. Echols, Knox White, Joe Hickman and former Miss America Donna Axum Whitworth.
Al was born in El Dorado in 1947 to Al and Mary Miller and has one sister Rachel, who is married to Fred Newman formerly of El Dorado. Al married Janis Brandon in 1968, and they have a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Brian. Lisa is married to Jim Clarke in Buford, Ga. and they have two sons, D.J., 4, and Cody, 2 years old. Brian is married to Emile, and they have a 1-year-old daughter Ryne in Gonzales, La. These three grandchildren are Al?s pride and joy.
Coach Miller is a legend in the field of Strength and Conditioning (S&C) and is an inaugural and current member of the S&C NFL Hall of Fame. Al is in his 22nd year of NFL coaching and presently is coaching with Denis Allen at the Oakland Raiders and is currently working with former Razorback All-American Darren McFadden.
Al said, "Darren is a gifted athlete that possesses speed, agility and breakaway scoring potential whenever he touches the football.?
When Al arrived in Oakland, his first thought was to talk with Darren, a fellow Arkansan, and see what kind of conditioning and leadership attitude he had. Al was thrilled to say Darren is someone special that pays the price to prepare himself to be the best. Another common bond was that both men knew Tommy May of Simmons First National Bank who was the former chairman of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.
Cecil Kellum, former Athletic Director for 17 years and Executive Director for three years of the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club, remembers Al?s athletic career began during our first year in operation 1953 as a pitcher of the First Presbyterian baseball team.
"I could see that Al was a talented and tough competitor and he grew up with the club and also participated in Baseball and Football. I have followed Al over the years as he lettered in football and track that would eventually lead to his raise as a legend in Strength and Conditioning. What a wonderful story of one of our own as the best in his field and part of the S &C Hall of Fame," he said.
Barry Rubin, another S&C Hall of Famer is now strength coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, credits Coach Miller as his mentor & rates him as the best in the business. Barry has 16 years in the NFL including two Super Bowls and stated, "If I were a good football player and wanted to be the best I would hire Al Miller because he is the greatest motivator I have ever seen. If professionals have a question Al is the consultant we call. Just Google Coach Al Miller and see the impact he has had on the sport of football. Miller?s S&C programs have been crucial building blocks for the foundation of five Super Bowl teams, five AFC Championships with the Denver Broncos, one NFC Championship with the Atlanta Falcons and two Pro Bowls. Al set receiving records at Northeast University and was inducted into NLU Hall of Fame in 1992. Al also coached at Mississippi State when they upset Bear Bryant?s Crimson Tide in 1980. Two years later, Al was honored when Bear Bryant chose him to coach on his football staff.?
Al was asked how you achieved all these honors and he replied. "I have been blessed with wonderful mentors such as Cecil Kellum, Garland Gregory and Dwight Adams and great teammates and friends while in El Dorado. They helped establish my can do attitude and I have tried to share that knowledge with the young men I have coached for 42 years. I have tried to inspire players on how to carry themselves in the training room but also and more importantly as a family man and an important role model in the community. The people of the United States are blessed to have the opportunity to set their own goals and aspire to levels beyond belief."
Al coached great athletes like John Elway, Phil Simms, Michael Vick, Lawrence Taylor, and Steve Atwater and had the pleasure of working with coaches Bear Bryant, Dan Reeves, Dennis Allen, Wade Philips and Mike Shanahan.
"I am honored to be a part of the Strength & Conditioning Profession that has organized programs that have undoubtedly made competitive athletics more explosive and more exciting as athletes have made great improvements in strength, power, speed endurance and body control. These programs have been extremely effective in reducing the rate of athletic injuries.?
For banquet tickets ($25) or sponsor information on the Union County Hall of Fame or Alumni Association contact David Lee at the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, Arkansas at (870) 863-8753 or email dlee15@juno.com.
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