L
From Miller
Stu Lavey ‘63
There are many Miller stories, and we all have them, but the one that sticks out in my mind (and the one that I recounted in a speech at the party to celebrated Miller's 600th soccer victory), is as follows:
Miller has an amazing facility for remembering something about almost every alum of the school. I never played soccer at Pingry, but I had Miller as my JV baseball coach along with Frank Romano. I had a strong arm but struggled with control as a relief pitcher. One particular afternoon early in the season on a cloudy and misty day, I went in to pitch batting practice. Suddenly, all of the mechanics worked, and I threw fastballs past everyone of the team, including (to his amazement) Frank Romano. Miller was nonplused and simply said "OK, Lavey, when it rains, you pitch." This event repeated itself several times during the course of that baseball season, and it became accepted that when it rained, I pitched!
To this day, like clockwork my phone in the office will ring early on some rainy Spring morning and I will hear Miller's voice on the other end saying "Stu, it's raining. Are you warmed up and ready to pitch?"
Miller demanding as a coach, and he expected us to be dedicated and to put out 100% at all times and to be the best that we could be. We learned how to win and to lose gracefully. Mostly we won that season, but Miller never let us get lazy. I remember the look of absolute amazement on the faces of the players on an opposing team that we had just drubbed as Miller made us run "three easy ones" around the bases at the end of the game.
Stu Lavey ‘63
Bert Lesneski ’54
Miller has been a friend since he first became an integral part of The Pingry School 60 years ago. Anyone who has known him recognizes the enduring values of the extensive roles in his life – foremost of which are those of son, brother, husband, and father. He has an absolutely unique and magnetic character, combining a non-stop sense of humor with a lifelong talent for creating lasting friendships and gaining the devotion of countless students, both in class and on the soccer field. His unflagging loyalty to the school continues to be an inspiration to every Pingry graduate who has been privileged to know him as a teacher, coach, and friend. Certainly his extraordinary accomplishments and record as a soccer coach marked the pinnacle of his career, culminating with his induction into the Hall of Fame. Of course, true to form, he remains modest despite this truly remarkable achievement.
Thinking back to our earlier years, there are so many Pingry memories that surface about Miller. I remember weekends riding around with him in Dick Corbet’s 1937 Packard convertible (with a rumble seat). Then there were the 8mm movies that Miller directed and filmed – takeoffs of horror classics (he still has these and probably could be persuaded to screen them if encouraged).
There were a number of memorable summers spent with Miller, Dick Corbet, George Christow, and Dick Hnat ’50 as counselors at my father’s boys camp – Waganaki – in southern Maine. Many Pingry boys were there, including my classmates Guy Leedom, Win Hall, Bob Arace, and Gary Torborg. My father subsequently sold the camp to Miller and it continued to thrive under his guidance.
My life and experience have been enriched immeasurably with Miller’s friendship, and I know that everyone who is a part of the Pingry community would have the same sentiment.
And so, Miller, thank you for the incomparable gifts to so many lives whose lives you have touched, and for your innumerable contributions to our school’s tradition. You have truly earned and deserved the title of “Mister Pingry.”
