Clarion Athletics

Jim Miller was a talented and hard-nosed football player at Clarion from 1963-66. Jim played both offense and defense, and was a co-captain of the (10-0) undefeated 1966 PSAC Championship team that was coached by Al Jacks. Miller played a receiving position on offense and a defensive back on defense. As an offensive player Miller collected 81 career catches for 1,098 yards, both career records when he graduated in 1966. He also owns the record for average yards per carry (7.83), while catching five touchdown passes. In 1966, as Clarion rolled to a 10-0 record and won the PSAC West and PSAC titles, Miller grabbed 36 passes for 455 yards and one touchdown. His top game included five catches for 128 yards vs Geneva, and seven catches for 61 yards against Lock Haven. In Clarion’s PSAC-West clinching win against Slippery Rock (40-0). he grabbed four passes for 47 yards, plus posted two interceptions on defense. In 1965 Jim had 32 catches for 496 yards and four touchdowns helping Clarion to a 6-2-1 mark. He had six catches for 102 yards against Edinboro, and seven grabs for 86 yards and two touchdowns against California. A native of Erie, Pa. and a 1960 grad of Erie Academy, Jim returned to Erie after graduation and taught English and was a Guidance Counselor at Erie East from 1967-2000 before retiring. He coached girls softball, basketball and assistant varsity football coach during his time at East. Jim recently resided in Lakeland, Florida before passing away on March 2, 2007. He is survived by his wife Judi, children Nicole, Danielle and Jamie and 5 grandchildren.