Dean Miller….Waveland’s Four-Sport Star

Many of today’s high school athletes specialize in just one sport, but in the good ol’ days, most boys played all of the sports that their school offered. Dean Miller, who graduated from Waveland in 1969, not only participated in baseball, basketball, track, and cross country…but he also excelled in all four! Dean told me that he and his four brothers worked on the farm and also milked cows twice a day, so playing sports with his friends was great fun. Watching his older brothers influenced him the most, and his twin brother Dale was his “most pushing coach.” Two of Dean’s uncles, Ralph and Larry Williams, were teachers at Waveland, and they meant a lot to him, too.

Dean lettered in all four sports during each of his high school years. He was a starter on the Hornet basketball team his last three years. During his junior year, Dean averaged 13.7 points, and then became the leading scorer his senior year with an average of 15.4. He was named to the Montgomery County All-Sectional teams in 1967 and 1968, and the All-County Tourney team in 1969. And Dean, playing the guard position, could also spot the open man, setting the school season assist record with 93 assists. For his accomplishments, Dean was named to the Montgomery County Basketball Hall of Fame.

On the baseball diamond, Dean was a tough competitor. He dug into the batter’s box and always got a piece of the ball. In fact, he set another school record with a .461 batting average his senior year. He really enjoyed playing baseball with his brother, who was an excellent catcher. Dean was proud to have made the baseball team at Indiana State University…and he made it to the “last cut” on the freshman basketball team…so close!

I certainly remember watching Dean play baseball and basketball, but what I remember most about Dean was his track and cross country achievements. As a sophomore, Dean set the county record in the mile run, and went undefeated in county competition. He also went undefeated in cross country…That boy ran like a rabbit!!!

Now, don’t think that Dean was only interested in sports. He also was in band, FFA, Student Council, W-Club, forestry contests, and served as a class officer.

After college, Dean taught and coached at North Vermillion for a few years and then later worked for Hyster Lift Trucks/NACCO in Danville, Illinois. During his life, Dean played softball and golf, and also played basketball until he was 60 years old. In looking back at his high school sports participation, Dean told me that it was a lot of hard work, but was also very enjoyable. He had much success, which was nice, but he would have done it anyway. Dean Miller will be remembered not only for his athletic talents, but also for his fierce competitiveness and desire to succeed. Thanks, Dean…a great Waveland Hornet!

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 32 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.