After 51 years at the helm of the UNC fencing team, head coach Ron Miller is finally calling it a career.

Miller coached the first season of Tar Heel fencing back in 1967-68, and has been the face of the program ever since–mentoring numerous student-athletes during that time.

“Ron’s dedication to Carolina and the sport of fencing is just incredible,” UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said, in a statement released by the university. “The fact he’s been here for more than half a century is amazing on its own, but it’s even more impressive when you know the impact he’s had on Tar Heel students over that time.

“On behalf of everyone in Carolina Athletics and the entire UNC family, we salute him for his success and thank him for his service,” Cunningham added.

The ACC Coach of the Year in 2018 and the National Coach of the Year in both 1983 and 1986, Miller has sent at least one fencer to the NCAA Championships during each year of his storied career.

“It’s difficult to sum up the quality of Coach’s character and impact on the program in just a few words,” Sydney Persing, a junior on the women’s foil squad, said. “I think I speak for the entire team when I say he’s put more heart into this program in 51 years than most people could have in 150.” 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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