Bold strokes framed within a long-term, broad-based athletic strategic plan have been the backdrop for unprecedented athletic and academic success during Jim Miller's tenure at the University of Richmond, which completed its 12^th year at the conclusion of the 2011-12 academic calendar.

When the plan was crafted in October 2000, the mission was clear:  consistently compete for conference championships and earn opportunities for NCAA championships, while providing the best collegiate experience for the student-athletes.

On July 12, 2012, the University announced Miller will transition from his current role to the newly established role of assistant to the president for athletic advancement.

Miller will focus on athletic alumni relations and raising funds to address athletic priorities, including goals contained in both The Richmond Promise and new athletic strategic plan. He will continue to serve as athletic director until a successor is in place.

Since joining the nationally-recognized Atlantic 10 Conference as a full member in 2001, Spider athletic teams have captured 44 league titles.  The men's basketball program has made three NCAA Tournament appearances, captured an A-10 championship in 2011, was nationally-ranked at the conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and made a memorable run to the Sweet 16 in 2011.

Included in those league titles are four championships won by the football team in the CAA Football conference, highlighted by a Division I Football National Championship in 2008.

As the Spiders were winning that national title, Miller and his staff were working behind-the-scenes to bring Spider Football home on-campus.  More than 400 individual donors, the second-highest total for a University capital project, gave gifts or made pledges. 

The $25-million Robins Stadium, which opened to rave reviews in the fall 2010, is the home not only of Richmond football, but of men's and women's soccer, women's lacrosse, men's and women's track and field; and annually hosts the Virginia Special Olympics.

Other highlights during Miller's 12 years as Richmond's director of athletics include:

• Spider student-athletes are annually recognized nationally for their academic success, and every team has recorded its highest annual GPA.
• Head coaches hired during Miller's tenure have won 28 coach-of-the-year honors through Spring 2012.
• Since joining the A-10 in 2001, women's swimming & diving has won 10 league titles; women's tennis has won eight league titles; field hockey has won seven league titles; men's tennis has won four league titles. Twelve different sports have won league titles, including seven teams with multiple championships.
• Every athletic venue has been enhanced, including the Robins Center, which in 2012 is in the initial phase of a 15-million dollar renovation project for the seating area and concourses.
• Spider Club membership and donations are at an all-time high.
• Corporate partnerships with IMG and Nike have been established.

During his tenure, Miller has also served on various NCAA and conference committees, including the NCAA FCS (formerly I-AA) Football Committee, NCAA Leadership Council and chairman of the Atlantic 10 Finance Committee.

Before joining Richmond, Miller served nine years as an athletic administrator at NC State University. He was associate athletic director and chief operating officer at the time of his move to Richmond.

Miller has been actively involved in college athletics for more than 30 years.  He played basketball and baseball at Old Dominion University.

He received a master of science degree in education from ODU and a law degree from William & Mary.  He worked for a Norfolk law firm before becoming president of Sports Management Services, a sports marketing firm in Virginia Beach, from 1988 until he joined NC State.

Jim and his wife, Celia, live in Richmond, near the Robins Center.  Their daughter, Gray, a graduate of Furman University, lives in Richmond and is director of volunteer services for Special Olympics Virginia.