Milwaukee City Wire

INDIANAPOLIS – On Thursday, the Horizon League announced its annual winners of the Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor Awards, the most prestigious individual honor issued by the conference. Milwaukee's Ari Miller from the volleyball and track & field programs was selected as one of the two annual recipients for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Coleman Medal of Honor was introduced in 1981 and is presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes that demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Ian Cleary of Oakland baseball was named the 2023-24 male recipient.

"Thank you to the Horizon League for the recognition and honor of bestowing me this amazing award," commented Miller. "I am truly honored and grateful to have been chosen for this award and could not be where I am now if not for my supportive family, teammates, coaches, and friends who have been in my corner since day one."

Miller recently completed her studies at Milwaukee, earning her master's degree in business administration following her undergraduate degree in health care administration. Academically, she was a two-time Fall Scholar-Athlete of the Year in both 2021 and 2023 and was also on the league's All-Academic Team each season she was eligible from 2020-23.

Her academic resume also included three College Sports Communicators (previously CoSIDA) Academic All-District honors from 2021-23 while also earning a spot on eight Horizon League Academic Honor Rolls and being an eight-time Dean's List recipient at Milwaukee.

"I have been provided amazing and rewarding opportunities at Milwaukee, through the community, athletic department, academic curriculum, and on my teams," Miller added. "I was able to challenge myself, be involved in communities and clubs that inspire me, and learn numerous life lessons in my time at Milwaukee. I could not have imagined another college experience anywhere else, as I was able to show my passion to Milwaukee athletics and the city through the support that the department provided to me. The lessons I've learned as a student-athlete have given me confidence to believe in myself and instilled in me the understanding that a supportive, empathetic, and passionate work ethic is the true key to success in anything I do in life - professionally, personally, and in the community."

Miller joined the Milwaukee volleyball team in 2019 and began building her athletic profile with five consecutive All-Horizon League First Team selections while also earning Freshman of the Year honors following her rookie campaign. In 2021, Miller earned AVCA All-North Region and All-American honors after receiving Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year accolades.

While finishing her career in fall 2023, Miller set program records with 1,563 kills, an attacking percentage of .344, as well as sets played with 499 and matches played with 135. She also finished her career third all-time in blocks with 451 while holding top spots on single-season hitting percentage lists.

In her one season with the track & field program during spring 2024, Miller threw javelin and competed in seven events culminating with a sixth-place finish at the Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships in early May.

Beyond her academic and athletic successes, Miller has been heavily involved on campus at Milwaukee. She spent this past academic year as president of Milwaukee's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee after joining it at the start of her sophomore year in fall 2020. She is part of Riverside High School's volleyball volunteer mentorship program and volunteered at Special Olympics among other clubs.

Miller was Milwaukee's nominee this past fall for the inaugural Horizon League Volleyball Sportsmanship Award and served as a three-year captain with Panther volleyball.

With her selection, Miller becomes only the fourth female recognized from Milwaukee program history by earning this honor; she is also first from Panther volleyball program within Horizon League history.