Where Are They Now: Meghan Miller

Jan. 10, 2007

Throughout this off-season, kuathletics.com will periodically check in with former Jayhawks and see what they have been up to since their days in the Crimson and Blue. Today, we profile Meghan Miller, who played at KU from 2001-2004 and was a volunteer assistant in 2005.

Miller was perhaps the best goalkeeper in KU soccer history, holding career and single-season records in shutouts and goals against average, and is second in career saves. Miller’s play helped the Jayhawks to 60 wins in her four-year career and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Miller was the second KU player to be named a First Team All-American in 2004 (Caroline Smith, 2003), was a three-time all-region and all-conference selection as and was honored as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week five times during her career.

Where are you living and working now?

MM: I am working and living in Beaverton, Ore. I am getting my master’s at the University of Washington in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership. As part of our degree program, we go out to different universities and practice what we’ve learned. Right now, I am working at Portland State University.

How has your academic experience and/or your degree from KU assisted you in your chosen career?

MM: I got my degree at KU in journalism. I had a blast working for The Kansan. The skills I learned from working for the school paper will not only help me in whatever career I choose, but also for the rest of my life.

Being that you’re from the northwest, what made you decide to come to Kansas?

MM: The decision to come to Kansas was harder because it was far away from home. The minute I took my recruiting trip, I knew Kansas was the place for me. I met the team and I loved them. The coaching staff was great and they made me feel like I was already part of the team.

What is one thing you miss most about being a student-athlete?

MM: The thing I miss most about being a college athlete are my teammates. There will never be another time in my life when I will be on the same page with 20 other people. We were all working for the same thing. They were always there for me when I needed them and I know that no matter where our lives take us, that will still hold true. I also miss playing. When you’ve been an athlete all your life and then one day it just stops, it’s hard to deal with. I know I will always have a hard time dealing with that. There’s nothing like battling for 90 minutes with the people you love so much.

What was the best thing about being a Jayhawk?

MM: It’s too hard to find one memory that is my favorite. I loved going to basketball games. I loved heckling at softball games. I loved being on the soccer team…Oh wait, I found a good memory – beating Mizzou in their house to go to the Sweet 16.

Name one lesson that playing soccer at KU has taught you.

MM: Being on the team taught me that no matter what is going on in your life, you can always play soccer. Everything will be fine.

What lasting memory do you have of playing soccer at KU?

MM: My lasting memories from soccer are my teammates. In 20 years, I won’t remember many of the games, but I will remember all the fun times I had with them. They will always be my teammates.

From the time you started playing at KU, to now, what do you see as the biggest difference in the program?

MM: I think the biggest difference in the program is that there is greater interest from people across the country. Everyone expects Kansas to compete and we are no longer a guaranteed win.

Being that you were with Coach Francis for five years (four as a player, one as a volunteer assistant) what’s your best story about him?

MM: My favorite memory is from my freshman year. It had been about two months and I was still so homesick. I made it to practice one day without crying and coach comes up to me and told me he thought I was looking better. As soon as I turned around to start practice, I started crying again.

What advice would you give to the current team?

MM: I would tell the current team that they aren’t just playing for themselves. They represent every player that has put on a uniform. Respect where you came from and how you got there. Your actions affect not only you, but everyone else. Whether you decide to put yourself ahead of the team or if you wear a blue sock, it has an impact on the team.