GLASSBORO, NJ – In just three years as a member of the Rowan softball team, Tiffany Miller certainly made her mark and will see her achievements recognized when she earns her place in the Rowan University/Glassboro State Athletic Hall of Fame, at the induction to be held on Sunday, October 24.
Miller, an outfielder, was one of the first few in the history of the softball program to be recognized as an All-American, when she earned third-team honors in 1995 and second-team honors in 1997. She was an All-Region selection both those seasons and earned All-Conference first-team honors in 1995.
She remains one of the school’s leaders in stolen bases, holding the Rowan record for steals in a season, with 48 in 1997, and in stolen bases per game, with a 1.2 average during that same year. Miller posted a stolen base percentage of .943 during her career, which remains the best in Prof history, and she twice stole five bases in one game, which is tied as the school record.
The Profs enjoyed team success with Miller on board, making four trips to the NCAA Regionals, with the 1994 and 1995 teams each advancing to the third round, while also winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title in her first year.
Miller faced a setback in 1996 when she dislocated her shoulder during the team’s spring training trip in Florida. It was her last year of eligibility, but since it happened early in the season, she was able to redshirt and return to play in 1997.
“Having to take that year off was extremely hard. We had an amazing team, and we were predicted to go far into the playoffs. When I got hurt, I promised myself I would work hard and put the time in needed to get back to the player I was. I learned a lot about myself and my teammates that year,” said Miller. “I also became very close to Coach Mulvihill. I feel like I learned so much from him and about the game by watching from the dugout. When I returned the next year, I felt like mentally I was better prepared. I did however struggle with some things like diving, both in the field and on the bases. I was worried about getting hurt again. But once I got over that, I was excited to be able to play my senior year!”
Miller, who transferred to Rowan after one year of playing at Monmouth University, was drawn to Rowan after she saw how great the team got along with each other as well as the competitive environment that existed.
“I am extremely happy with my decision to transfer to Rowan. I am still in touch with all my coaches from there and I tell them they changed my life. They taught me how to be a better person. If it wasn’t for their guidance, I would not be where I am today,” said Miller
After she graduated from Rowan in 1997 with her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, Miller has taught at Egg Harbor Township High School for the past 23 years, and was the head softball coach there until 2017.
Her coaching career was guided by the mentorship of her three coaches at Rowan – Kim Franchi, Bill Mulvihill and Kim Wilson – while she feels her experience playing at the collegiate level helped her while coaching at Egg Harbor Township.
“I took bits and pieces from each coach and applied that to my student-athletes,” says Miller. “From somebody who they know played, especially at the collegiate level, and who has been involved in the game for so long, I think sometimes that helps with my impact on what the kids are taking out of what I’m teaching them.”
