FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cher Cox
312/505-7555
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.
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