Sept. 22, 2009

By Becky Murdy, Penn State Athletic Communications Student Assistant

On Saturday, September 26, the population inside of Beaver Stadium alone will make State College, Pa., the third most populated city in Pennsylvania. The clash between Penn State and Iowa will mark the first night game of the 2009 football season and the first "Whitehouse," catapulting the campus population to third behind Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In front of an estimated 109,000 attendees, about 12,000 people will be recognized amongst the white orchestrated chaos for making Penn State athletics a successful organization and one of the most tight-knit alumni groups in all of college sports.

Varsity "S" Day, marks the day where all Varsity "S" members (former student-athletes) are invited back to be recognized for their athletic accomplishments and for their continual participation and support of Penn State athletics. This year Varsity "S" will have a new, but familiar face in charge of all members and events.

DIAMOND DAYS

Mike Milliron, a standout Penn State shortstop, was recently named to the position of Varsity "S" Coordinator. Milliron's journey of education and athletics has not dwelled entirely in Pennsylvania, but has come full circle, beginning and currently residing in Happy Valley.

"Coming back to Penn State is like second nature," said Miliron. "It is easy to talk to fellow alumni about how great it was and still is here on campus and how we all enjoyed our experiences as athletes."

Milliron led Penn State with a .354 hitting average in his senior year to cap an extraordinary Nittany Lion baseball career. He was a co-leader in runs scored (42) and led the squad with 73 hits, 14 doubles and 15 stolen bases.

During his career from 2001-05, the three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient finished with 209 games played and 683 at-bats, third most in Penn State baseball history. He is sixth in Penn State history in hits (197), seventh in doubles (36), seventh in runs scored (139) and 10th in stolen bases (29).

After an exceptional career in Happy Valley, Milliron became the first Penn State position player drafted into Major League Baseball since 2001, when both Chris Netwall and Rod Perry were selected.

"I went through Penn State with a pre-med degree and after graduation and when baseball season wrapped up I was drafted," remembered Milliron. "I spent two years in the Colorado Rockies organization. "

Milliron was drafted in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, but his time in the league was cut short due to a reoccurring arm injury that had flared up during his years at Penn State.

"I couldn't hit a curveball and my arm was all bummed out from when I played at Penn State. I was rehabbing my arm for a couple of years while I was still playing, but it wasn't getting any better so I made the decision to retire."

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION

Milliron had his college degree to lean back on, but at the time of his retirement from baseball, being a doctor wasn't in his future plans anymore.

"With my college degree I had applied to medical schools before entering the draft. I had paid $1,500 to hold my seat at Nova Southeastern medical school but I just didn't want to be a doctor. My dad is a doctor and my brother is a doctor and I just didn't think that is what I wanted. I wanted to stay in sports."

With a new goal in mind Milliron turned to his old stomping ground for some advice on a few more complicated decisions.

"I came back and talked to Mr. (Bob) Krimmel, who used to be the assistant athletics director, and he immediately told me that the Ohio University had a really good graduate school. He emphasized that if I really wanted to get into sports I should consider the school because of their great connections."

To no one's surprise, Milliron got accepted into Ohio University's graduate program and in a single year he not only got his MBA, but he worked full time in the athletics department. In the months between his MBA and his year obtaining a master's degree, Milliron once again called back to Happy Valley.

For the three months preceding his return to Ohio for his master's, Milliron worked under Greg Myford in marketing, development and ticketing and Joe Battista in the Nittany Lion Club. After a crash course in the Penn State athletics, he returned to Ohio University to finish up his degree.

RETURNING TO HIS ROOTS

With a master's in sports administration, an address that ended in Ohio, a wife and a career path undecided, Milliron had to take some chances.

"I was looking to move on from Ohio because it wasn't a good fit for my wife [Natalie] and me. It is a great place but just not where we wanted to be. I had my name out there for a few jobs, then the Varsity "S" coordinator position became available."

After an application and interview process, Milliron was offered the position as the connection between former student-athletes and current student-athletes, a relationship he was confident and comfortable with.

"It was a perfect fit for me. I am a Varsity "S" Club member myself and it feels great to be working with people who hold that same passion for Penn State athletics as I do."

VARSITY "S" CLUB

By definition the Varsity "S" Club is an alumni interest group designed to maintain the ties between Penn State's former student-athletes, cheerleaders, dance team members and mascots and the University.

"In laymen's terms it is really a club that is for former student-athletes. These athletes can use me as their point of contact once they leave campus. The purpose of me being here is really to serve as the liaison."

The Varsity "S" falls under the Nittany Lion Club, which is for all Penn State alumni looking to aid the university through any form of support. The Nittany Lion Club and athletic development fund the Varsity "S".

"As a Varsity "S" member, they have what we call an associated membership into the Nittany Lion Club where they receive benefits that other graduates have to pay for. Our goal is to get all of our Varsity "S" Club members to become Nittany Lion Club members and right now we are not where we need to be with that."

Alumni are extremely important to Penn State and Penn State athletics. Whether it be through financial support, event support or scholarship support. The connection between generations of student-athletes is what keeps Penn State sports as successful and up-to-date as they are.

"I look at it as a family. Once the oldest child moves out of the house and goes out on their own they are still needed back every once in a while to pave the way and support the younger kids in that family."

143 Bryce Jordan Center is among the 20-plus offices completely renovated in both the men and woman coach's basketball wings. Milliron sits in the midst of the Lady Lion wing surrounded by a modern renovation with freshly painted navy blue walls and chrome colored accents. The Lady Lions are in poster form on the walls, depicting the history and success of the team throughout the years.

"If you look out the door here you see how amazing these wings and offices are. That money had to come from somewhere. People who are a part of these clubs care so much about Penn State and are donating to make these places look their best. It is really important for student-athletes to understand that other people are making these financial sacrifices for the future of Penn State athletics."

WHITEHOUSE AND VARSITY "S" DAY

Each year the Varsity "S" Club hosts a celebration in the name of all its members. Currently the club has 12,000 members, all of which have been invited to Varsity "S" Day, marked by the first Big Ten football game.

"This year the event falls on the Iowa night game which is a white out. I couldn't have scripted it any better with this being my first year running the event."

The day consists of a social event prior to the game where members can eat, drink and socialize with former teammates, coaches, managers and friends. For those members attending the game, attention will be upon them. A moment of recognition will take place during the game as all members will be asked to stand and be cheered on by the 109,000 people in appreciation for their continued loyalty to Penn State. The day is devoted to them entirely. A sea of white will salute the ones who have come before them and continue to call Happy Valley their home.

"Mainly, it is one day each year where we try to bring everyone back to campus to reconnect with friends and the University. During the football game they are honored, which will be really cool," said Milliron.

STUDENT-ATHLETES RECONNECT

There is always a need for more athletics alumni to get involved in Penn State athletics. With the ongoing shift in coaching staffs and athletic staffs, it is easy to lose touch with the University. With the Varsity "S" website on GoPSUsports.com, it is simple for former student-athletes to find their way back to Happy Valley.

"My e-mail address and phone number are on the website, making it very easy to reach out to me. I can talk to potential members on a one-on-one basis to get them involved in a way that fits both their needs and ours. There is no application process or the turning away of potential members. I am not the type of person to keep anyone away who wants to help."

Contact Mike Milliron for anything regarding the Varsity "S" Club or the Nittany Lion Club at varsitys@athletics.psu.edu or call his office at 814-867-2202.