Runner's Web
Runner's and Triathlete's Web News
Send To A friend Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
Send this Runner's Web Story's URL to a friend.   Comment on this story.
Visit the FrontPage for the latest news.   |     View in Runner's Web Frame

Posted: September 7, 2005

Athletics: Steve Miller Named President/COO Of Devine Racing

Former NIKE Executive Named to Top Spot

CHICAGO (September 7, 2005) - Steve Miller, former Director of Global Sports Marketing and 10-year veteran at Nike, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer for Devine Racing. The announcement was made by Devine Racing co-founders Chris Devine and Bruce Buzil at a press conference today in Chicago.

Established to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to amateur road racing events in major market cities, Devine Racing currently owns the Los Angeles Marathon, the 'New" Las Vegas Marathon, which will make its inaugural run down the famed Las Vegas Strip on December 4th, the Salt Lake City Marathon, the Chicago Half Marathon and the Chicago BIG 10K. The firm's acquisition strategy is not to own the largest number of road racing events, but the highest quality amateur athletic participatory endurance events - especially in destination markets.

While at Nike, Miller held several positions including Director of Athletics, Director of U.S. Sports Marketing, Director of Sports Marketing for the Asia Pacific Region, and Director of NCAA Sports Marketing. Miller also oversaw Nike's $100 million investment in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney while directing the company's marketing investments and strategies throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Most recently, Miller was President/CEO of the Professional Bowlers Association, based in Seattle. In his five years at the PBA, he was responsible for revamping the organization, bringing membership to an all time high, negotiating an exclusive three-year television deal with ESPN, increasing sponsorships from two sponsors in 2000 to 17 for the 2004-05 PBA Tour season. He will continue on their Board of Directors.

"I'm thrilled to be back in the running world," stated Miller. "I understand the sport so well - as a track coach, a member of the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame and as an executive running the largest running division at Nike.

At Devine Racing, we have an opportunity, a mission really, to change the face of running globally. We want to treat every athlete as an Elite athlete. We want to be with them from preparation through celebration, and to that end we are molding the Devine Difference, including a Runners Bill of Rights. We're giving competitive and recreational runners a rare opportunity--leading the charge in the industry with a real first.

From a business standpoint, as we acquire more events and gain critical mass, we will have the ability to change the sport as it relates to each individual athlete. Rarely does one have a chance to lead change, and I gravitate towards this," Miller added.

"Steve Miller is a perfect fit for our organization," noted Devine Chairman Chris Devine. "His capacity to interact in the locker room with the most talented athletes in the world, and simultaneously navigate the corporate boardroom with king-makers is a marvelous gift. We all can draw on that finesse as well as his years of running and marketing expertise - nationally and internationally. This now solidifies our foundation and gives us the momentum to move forward in our acquisitions with a great leader at the helm."

Dr. Bill Burke, President of the Los Angeles and Las Vegas Marathons, added, "The leadership and vision of Chris Devine and Bruce Buzil that was guaranteed when we joined Devine Racing a year ago, is now being realized. Steve Miller is well known and respected in the running world and has the expertise to solve problems. With Steve onboard, Devine Racing now has what it takes to complete our vision across the Board and lead us into the future."

A former track and field star who was drafted to play professional football for the NFL Detroit Lions, Miller was named NCAA Coach of the Year five times and is a member of three Halls of Fame. Early in his career, Miller was Director of Athletics at Kansas State University where he turned one of the country's most losing football teams into a top five nationally-ranked team.

He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation and Brooks Sports. Most recently, he served on the Board of the Portland Oregon Sports Authority and the Warsaw School of Sports Marketing at the University of Oregon until returning to Chicago where he was born and raised.

He is a well-known, highly sought after lecturer at universities and businesses throughout the world on topics ranging from Motivation to Executive Leadership. Steve has a BS in English Literature and Physical Education from Bradley University, a MA in Contemporary English Literature from Governors State University and an MS in Physical Science and Biochemical Analysis from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Committed to the celebration of individual accomplishment, Devine Racing believes it has the responsibility to deliver the highest level of professional service in the industry - for participants, sponsors and the communities where races are held. This obligation stems from Devine Racing co-founder Chris Devine's passion for running and respect for all runners. Building a consistently exceptional experience for the athletes is the focus of Devine's business, thus growing the value associated with competitive distance running for all involved. For further information on Devine Racing, visit the Website at www.devineracing.com.


Comment on this story.
Total Immersion

Check out our FrontPage for all the latest running and triathlon news.

Top of News
Runner's Web FrontPage
© 1996 - 2005 RunnersWeb.com - All rights reserved.
  Google Search for:   in   Web Site       Translate