Bill Miller, a graduate of 1969, participated in football and basketball during his three years at Valley Forge. He lettered two years and was a key member of the Patriot teams that helped continue the proud tradition established at Valley Forge by prior athletes. Along with his teammates, Bill helped pave the way and set standards of excellence for future athletes to follow.

During his three years as a quarterback for the Patriots, Bill led the junior varsity and varsity teams to a 26-4 record. Two of those years the Patriots went undefeated. During his junior year, the Patriots finished a strong 3rd place in a very tough LEL. The highlight of the ‘67 season was upsetting the state ranked Lorain Steelmen at Byers Field. It was Bill’s senior year that he and his teammates made history by earning an undefeated 10-0 season, ranked 2nd in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland Press polls, and a top 10 ranking in the State of Ohio poll. The last LEL school to go undefeated were the teams that played at Parma High School in 1958 and 1959.

Bill established 18 passing records during his two years as a starter on the varsity team. He was recognized for his play by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland Press as an All-Scholastic Quarterback, Honorable Mention All-State, Finalist for the Notre Dame Touchdown Club Award, and finalist for the Cleveland Touchdown Club Award.

On the basketball team, Bill was a two-year starter and letter winner at the guard position and was known for his outside shooting, foul shooting, and consistent play. Bill loved playing defense and roaming the baseline in Coach Broski’s and Coach Courey’s 1-3-1 defense. However, when called upon Bill enjoyed the assignment of playing the box and one defense to shut down the opponents leading scorer. During those years and playing a competitive schedule the Patriots expectations fell a little short, but they still played the game with all the spirit and drive that made the VF tradition proud. At the conclusion of his senior year, Bill received the prestigious outstanding athlete award for the 1968-69 school year.

Bill earned a football scholarship to Iowa State University and played in the Big Eight Conference. During his four years at Iowa State, the Cyclones reputation changed dramatically and they started to receive national attention in the national polls. Playing in the very tough Big Eight Conference, the Cyclone teams finished consistently in third place behind Nebraska and Oklahoma. The highlight of two of those seasons was beating Nebraska at home and then the following year beating Oklahoma at home. It was during this time that the Cyclones were selected to bowl games three consecutive years: the Liberty Bowl, Sun Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl.

Bill earned his teaching degree from Iowa State and a Masters Degree in School Administration from Cleveland State University. Bill is a retired educator of 37 years and is married to his wife Jan a retired educator and graduate of Valley Forge. He has two children and two grandchildren.