A Legacy of Excellence: Exploring the History of Miami University Athletics

Miami University, located in Oxford, Ohio, boasts a rich and storied athletic tradition. As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, the Miami RedHawks compete in a variety of sports, primarily within the Mid-American Conference (MAC). From football to hockey, and everything in between, Miami has established itself as a force to be reckoned with, consistently striving for excellence both on and off the field. The RedHawks' main rivals are the Ohio Bobcats of Ohio University, whose rivalry is known as the Battle of the Bricks. The two universities are the oldest in the state. Miami also has a rivalry with the Cincinnati Bearcats of the University of Cincinnati; the two schools are located 25 miles (40 km) apart and compete in football for the Victory Bell. In box scores, the Miami RedHawks are usually referred to as Miami (OH) to differentiate from the Miami Hurricanes, another Division I program affiliated with the University of Miami in Florida.

Athletic Leadership: Guiding the RedHawks to Success

The success of Miami's athletic program is due in no small part to the leadership of its athletic directors. These individuals have played a crucial role in shaping the program's vision, fostering a culture of winning, and ensuring the overall well-being of student-athletes.

David Sayler: A Modern Era of Achievement

When David Sayler was hired as director of athletics in January 2013, he immediately transformed Miami into one of the best and most well-rounded athletic departments in the MAC. Sayler has had an immensely successful career over the course of his 13 years at the university. Under the guidance of current Athletic Director David Sayler, Miami has experienced a golden era of athletic success. Sayler's emphasis on all-around excellence is evident in the RedHawks' consistent pursuit of Reese and Jacoby Trophies, awarded for all-sport success in the MAC. “Winning all-sports trophies really matters to me because it’s symbolic of the success that all our teams are having collectively,” Sayler said. Sayler put Miami on the national stage in recent years. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment of Sayler’s tenure is the Graduating Champions initiative. “It is critical to get the donor's support,” Sayler said. “We need to show the university that we can bring revenue into the program. Donor cultivation is critical to the lifeblood of everything that we do. Sayler’s work is far from done at Miami. He eyes further success and improvements in the athletic department.

A Lineage of Leadership: Building a Foundation for Success

Sayler is not the first athletic director to show the world what Miami has to offer. Bo Schembechler, a member of the Cradle of Coaches, coached the RedHawks football team for six seasons. He was hired by John Brickels, the athletic director from 1949-64. Immediately following Brickels was Richard (Dick) Shrider. Shrider served as athletic director from 1964-88 and oversaw the inclusion of women’s sports at the university. He also saw the varsity programs grow to 11 for men and eight for women. Prior to his time as athletic director, Shrider was the RedHawks' head basketball coach. Brad Bates took over as athletic director in 2002 and played an instrumental role in keeping Miami’s athletic tradition. These leaders have laid the foundation for the program's current success, ensuring that Miami remains a competitive force in the MAC and beyond.

Adapting to a Changing Landscape

Name, Image and Likeness legislation and player movement through the transfer portal are changing the landscape once again. “This is a whole new world around here,” said Steele in the postgame press conference after defeating Ohio University on Feb. 13. “I knew this could be done now. We got to get everything pulled in the same direction from the Board, President Crawford, David Sayler and myself. Currently, the RedHawks athletic teams are in a golden era. Football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball are all playing for conference championships consistently. Miami has a strong athletic history, and it falls to the athletic director more than anyone to uphold that storied tradition. Players and coaches are the faces of teams.

Read also: A Colorful Legacy: Miami Football

A Multifaceted Athletic Program: Success Across Sports

Miami University offers a diverse range of athletic opportunities for its students. The RedHawks have achieved success in numerous sports, showcasing the program's commitment to excellence across the board.

Baseball: A History on the Diamond

Beginning play in 1915, and Mid-American Conference (MAC) play in 1948, Miami has made the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship 7 times. The baseball program has a long and proud history, consistently competing for conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths.

Football: A Cradle of Coaches and Tradition

The Miami University RedHawks football team is one with a rich tradition of history. The program's historical significance is further amplified by its reputation as the "Cradle of Coaches," having produced legendary football minds such as: John Pont, Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, Bo Schembechler, Jim Tressel, and Terry Hoeppner. Former Miami players who never coached at the school but achieved notable coaching success in college or the NFL include Weeb Ewbank, John Harbaugh, and Sean McVay.

Golf: Mastering the Greens

The men's golf team has won 13 Mid-American Conference championships: 1948, 1950, 1970, 1974, 1981, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 (co-champions), 1996, 2015. The golf program has consistently produced talented players and competitive teams, solidifying its place among the top programs in the MAC.

Ice Hockey: Reaching New Heights on the Ice

The RedHawks on ice played in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association ("CCHA") before the original conference disbanded in 2013,[a] and fielded one of the best teams in the league in its last years. In 2006, the RedHawks earned the first #1 national ranking in school history and were CCHA regular season champs. They made it to the championship game, but lost to Michigan State. In 2006 Miami University replaced the old Goggin Ice Arena from 1976 with the new $34.8-million state-of-the-art Goggin Ice Center, with a capacity of around 4,000. In 2008 the RedHawks set team records for winning percentage and wins with .797 and 33 respectively. That year the RedHawks captured their first #1 seed in school history and advanced to the quarterfinals in the NCAA tournament, losing to Boston College. The 2009 RedHawks became the first Miami team to reach the Frozen Four in the history of the program. The RedHawks have established themselves as a national power, consistently competing for conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths.

Beyond the Mainstream: Expanding Athletic Horizons

Miami University also offers a variety of other athletic opportunities, including:

Figure Skating: Miami won a silver medal at the 2007 International Skating Union World Synchronized Skating Championships. Figure Skating, not by the NCAA.
Boxing: The Miami University boxing team competes in the Midwest Collegiate Boxing Association of the National Collegiate Boxing Association, a subset of USA Boxing dedicated to college boxing.[16] The team competes from August to April each school year and has had regional and national medalists in the NCBA tournaments, as well as some boxers being named All-American. The current head coach is Coach Eric Buller, Pd.D, who works at Miami as the Director of the Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute and arrived here in 2011. Prior to his arrival, he was the Assistant Coach of the Boxing team at the United States Military Academy and won a team Collegiate National Championship in 2008. He is a Level II USA Boxing Certified Coach and serves as the President for the National Collegiate Boxing Association. He is a two-time Miami Club Sports Coach/Advisor of the Year and was the 2016 NCBA National Coach of the Year. Coach Mike Argadine coached Miami Boxing for many years after his graduation from Miami.
Men's Lacrosse: The men's lacrosse team represents Miami University and currently competes in non-varsity lacrosse in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Division I level as a member of the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference (GRLC).[17] The RedHawks lacrosse team plays home games in Yager Stadium located in Oxford, Ohio. The team is coach Chuck Wilson. Miami finished the 2010 season second place in the CCLA and won its first CCLA play off game in over ten years.
Rugby: Founded in 1968, the Miami University Rugby Football Club plays college rugby in Division I in the MAC Conference.
Water Skiing: The men's and women's team compete in the National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) in slalom, jump and trick events. They compete around the Midwest in the Great Lakes Region to qualify to the national competition.
Wrestling: At one time, Miami had a very competitive wrestling program. They won eight Mid-American Conference titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1984, 1991 and 1992) and produced 51 NCAA qualifiers who earned 81 qualifications to the NCAA Division I tournament. Seven of their wrestlers earned All-American status, with HWT Mike Holcomb placing twice (5th in 1982, 3rd in 1984). The program was reinstalled as a club sport by Seth Preisler in 2002.

These programs provide opportunities for students to pursue their athletic passions and represent Miami University with pride.

The RedHawks Nickname: Evolving with the Times

Miami's athletic teams had several nicknames, including the Miami Boys, the Big Reds, and the Reds and Whites. In 1928, a Miami student referred to their team as the "Big Red-Skinned Warriors".[22] In 1996, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, which works with the university on Native American relations,[23] withdrew its support for the nickname. This decision reflected a growing awareness of the need to be respectful of Native American cultures and traditions.

Facilities: A Home Field Advantage

Miami University's athletic facilities provide state-of-the-art training and competition venues for its student-athletes. These facilities include:

Yager Stadium: The home of the RedHawks football team.
Millett Hall: The basketball arena, providing a dynamic atmosphere for games.
Stanley G. McKie Field at Joseph P. Hayden Jr.: The baseball stadium, offering a top-notch venue for collegiate baseball.
Goggin Ice Center: A state-of-the-art ice arena that replaced the old Goggin Ice Arena from 1976 with the new $34.8-million facility.

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