Sports

Wyandotte Roosevelt Says Farewell to an Icon

Students and staff wished 25-year volunteer Walter Miller farewell and good luck in his retirement Friday.

With a crowd of students and staff cheering him on, Walter Miller walked out of Wyandotte's Roosevelt High School for the last time Friday to begin his retirement.

Much like the hundreds of football games the Wyandotte native had attended over the past 25 years as the team manager, the cheering of the crowd Friday afternoon was on par with the cheers for Miller's beloved Bears.

"I love these kids," Miller said. "And these kids love me."

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Miller has spent nearly every day of his life, even before he graduated from Roosevelt in 1991, volunteering his time in any capacity necessary.

In addition to team manager for the varsity football team, Miller has served as president of the high school basketball teams.

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Principal Tom Kell said Miller's willingness to help out wherever he could was contagious.

"Walter is that person that will do anything you ask of him," Kell said. "He's going to be missed."

Despite taking on countless projects under the direction of Kell and secretaries Sheri Aminiak and Julie Bitsoli, Miller is moving to San Antonio, Texas to live with his sister, Joyce.

Before he left the school, Aminiak assured Miller he would always be welcome at her home.

"It's not going to be the same around here without him," Aminiak said.

Staff members held a retirement party for Miller this week where they presented him with a video filled with familiar faces wishing him good luck and thanking him for his time and grace.

The video played all day on televisions throughout the high school.

Miller said he will miss the "kids" the most.

"They gave me hugs and kisses, goodbye," Miller said.

He added he would also miss homecoming week and hopes to return to Roosevelt to take in a football game and visit with the new students.

When asked why he stuck around so long, without hesitation, Miller said emphatically, "the kids came first."

"These kids respect me and they treat me well," Miller said. "I'm going to miss them."

Has Walt left an impact on your life? Share your thoughts about him by posting a comment below.

 


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