Eugene Family YMCA Welcomes Chris Miller To Capital Campaign Cabinet
Former Sheldon High School, University of Oregon and NFL football player continues work to support and nurture youth, inspire philanthropy.
Eugene, Ore., February 12, 2020 --- The Eugene Family YMCA welcomes Chris Miller as its newest volunteer member of the nonprofit's Capital Campaign Cabinet.
"We are simply delighted to have such an involved proponent for youth and healthy living help lead us into the next phase of our Y," said Brian Steffen, CEO of the Eugene Family YMCA. "Chris knows this community so well and is the ultimate philanthropist--- giving of his time and resources to serve neighbors in meaningful ways."
Miller graduated from Sheldon High School, where he was a star athlete in three sports: baseball, football and basketball. He attended the University of Oregon and played quarterback for the Ducks Football team.
Miller was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos before retiring in 1999.
The longtime Oregonian returned to his stomping ground and coached the South Eugene High School football team from 2002 to 2006 and also in 2013.
He was inducted into the University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Oregon Sports Halls of Fame in 2004.
Sabrina Parsons, chair of the Y's Capital Campaign Cabinet, said she is looking forward to working with such a locally invested community member.
"Chris brings a passion for our community and for the development of healthy opportunities for kids and adults to participate in," Parsons said. "It is a pleasure to welcome him aboard and to utilize his insights."
Other coaching positions took Miller to the Arizona Cardinals, Marist Catholic High School, Churchill High School, West Linn High School and now the XFL Houston Roughnecks.
Miller graduated from Northwest Christian University in December 2018 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, focused on business, communications and psychology.
"I love being a positive role model and a good mentor," Miller said. "I know how important good mentors were for me growing up and I feel so blessed to be able to provide the same to kids and young adults."
In addition to coaching, Miller's involvement with youth sports came when he worked as the Executive Director of Kidsports for three years from 2006 to 2009. He is proud of his role in helping the organization become financially solvent. He said he was happy to hand over the reins to current executive director Bev Smith.
"Kidsports is doing a great job and they have a solid footing in the community," Miller said. "I love that I was part of helping Kidsports and now I am excited to help the Y."
Miller will sit on the Y's 14-member Capital Campaign Cabinet. The Y's Cabinet is a special group of volunteers who work hand-in-hand with the Y's Board and staff on achieving fundraising successes that are aligned with the philanthropic and donor priorities in Lane County.
"The new Y will be a tremendous addition to our community," Miller said. "People are excited about the growth and expansion of options for health and wellness. The Y is the perfect complement to the Kidsports Fieldhouse and Civic Park--- it rounds out our role as a committed community for youth development."
Miller sites the Y's afterschool enrichment programming and comprehensive health and wellness initiatives such as chronic disease prevention and older adult classes as reasons why the community needs both Civic Park and the Y.
"I lost a good friend, Wade Wilson, to complications from diabetes last summer," said Miller about his Atlanta Falcons teammate. "I am a huge proponent of the Y's work to prevent diabetes and keep people healthy and strong and living long, full lives. The Y casts its net wide and serves so many people throughout their entire lives and through difficult times. Our community benefits greatly by having such a strong Y!"
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About the Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages more than 18,000 people regardless of age, gender, income or background--- to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2019, the Eugene Family YMCA awarded $464,675 in financial assistance. The YMCA has been serving the Eugene-area since 1887.
Media inquires, please contact:
Eugene Family YMCA
Beth Casper
541-686-9622 ext. 240
503-302-8776 (mobile)
beth@eugeneymca.org
The Y. For a better us.
Founded in 1887, We're Lane County's Oldest Nonprofit.
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