Garrett Miller, Class of 1956
Coach Ozzie Rand personally recommended Gary for Peddie’s Sports Hall of Fame, describing him as one of his greatest-ever soccer players. Considering that Rand had previously sent six individual athletes and three teams to the Hall, this was the highest possible praise.
The leading JV scorer as a freshman, Gary moved up to varsity center halfback, the key spot in both attack and defense. Captain and “field commander” as a senior, he led the team to six wins and two ties. The Peddie News highlighted his “superb foul kick” goal against Long Branch … his “low, hard shot past the bewildered Rutgers Prep goalie who looked as though he never saw it coming” … and the decisive score against Hill when he “headed the ball into the goal from a corner kick.” Considered “exceptionally fast and aggressive,” the 6’3″ Miller was named to the All-State Soccer Team as First-Team Halfback.
Gary’s talents were not limited to the soccer pitch. Named “one of Peddie’s best athletes” by the Peddie News, he was a solid hitter and an excellent pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He went 4-0 on the mound during his junior year allowing only two hits as winning pitcher versus Hun. Against Blair, “once again it was the strong arm of Gary Miller that told the story” with 17 strikeouts during a 5-4 victory. Gary homered that year in the team’s 6-0 victory against Pingry. Despite arm trouble, he continued his strong pitching as a senior, striking out 10 in his victory against Pennington. Their batters never caught up with his fastball and sharp-breaking curveball.
On the basketball court, Gary was a leading scorer his senior year with 19 points against St. Benedict’s, 21 against Lawrenceville, and six straight in 35 seconds over Admiral Farragut. The team went 11-5 before losing to BMI in the state championship semifinals.
After leaving his mark on Peddie, Gary continued his winning ways at center halfback playing for Penn State. During 22 years in the Army, he completed Ranger and Airborne training and was awarded the Bronze Star. Returning to Penn State for his MBA, Gary finished first in his class. Before retiring, he worked for Northrop Grumman as a project manager.
The Hall is proud to count LTC Garrett Miller ’56 on its roster of distinguished honorees.