Miller came full circle in passion for Palatine track

What seemed to be just another lunchbreak last year turned out a lot more fulfilling for Fred Miller.

Palatine boys track and field head coach John Nalley was talking about his search for an assistant boys track coach with Miller. That's when Nalley realized this might be the perfect final course to a career-ending menu.

"I said, 'Wait a minute Fred,' " Nalley said with a laugh. " 'What are you doing next year?' "

Miller ended up doing what he's done best at Palatine. Whatever he could to help as a student, athlete, teacher or coach.

So, naturally, Miller came back after 11 years away from coaching track to work with the sprinters and hurdlers of the Mid-Suburban League champions.

"It's been really fun coaching track in my last year," Miller said. "I've come full circle."

Miller is about to begin his retirement from teaching adapted and integrated physical education for kids with special needs. The standout runner for Palatine also coached boys track from 1978-1999 and coached in the cross country program since 1992.

"One thing I picked up most was his enthusiasm about the tradition here at Palatine," said Nalley, who came to the school in 1988. "That's one thing I promised to carry forward. Just his enthusiasm for the tradition and the past and everything that went with being part of the program.

"That's why I was so excited he was able to be around this year. It was good for these guys to see the passion he has for the sport and the high school."

The passion for the sport was fueled at home by his dad, Marshall. He won the 1931 state title in the 880-yard run for Maine Township and in 1932 won the 440 in a record 48.8 seconds that stood for 23 years. Fred would run hurdles in his yard over newspapers set up by his dad.

The passion for Palatine and getting into teaching and coaching was fueled by two of his coaches, Joe Johnson and Ron Sloan.

"I thought I'd like to do what Joe was doing," Miller said of his admiration for Johnson. "He was the first influence in making me want to come back to Palatine."

Which Miller did after graduating from Eastern Illinois. A year later he was called in to see Palatine athletic director Chic Anderson.

"He said, 'We want you to get a (physical education) program going for special needs kids and I thought you would be a good person to do that,' " Miller said.

Miller had taken a couple of physical education classes for exceptional individuals in college but was certified for regular PE. But he laughed about agreeing with Anderson - especially since he was also a non-tenured teacher.

"It turned out to be a great thing," Miller said. "Working with special needs kids has really been wonderful and has been an inspiration to me.

"I've taken what I've learned with them and tried to apply it to able-bodied kids."

Miller did it for 10 years as the head track coach and realized he had the perfect replacement in Nalley. The timing to step back into an assistant's role was also perfect with young daughters Emma and Roxanne.

He's also played a big part in bringing back alums and coordinating the pre-meet dinner for the Palatine Relays.

And Miller plans to apply the advice Johnson used to administer to his distance runners toward retirement.

"Sometimes in a race you get in the rocking chair and you'll be comfortable where you are," Miller said. "He always said, 'Stay out of the rocking chair.' "

Miller and his wife, Karen, will by doing a lot of traveling. He said he'll probably be even more active from boating to cross country skiing.

He will continue to stay close to the track as a meet official, which he started doing when he stopped coaching in 1999. He also plans to support the Palatine track and cross country programs by setting up a crew of alums, community members and parents to help work home meets.

And Miller is thrilled his coaching spot is being filled by one of his proteges in former Palatine football and track standout Sergio Lund.

It's a traditional transition that's important to Miller as he leaves a place that was like a second home.

"I know it's certainly helped me care a lot more about Palatine with my deep roots here," Miller said.

Something Miller showed all the way to the finish line.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com