Danielle Miller

Danielle MillerSport: Women’s Rugby (1999‐2003)Current Occupation: Business Owner &Rugby CoachCurrent City: Seattle, WashingtonHall of Fame Induction: 2012BiographyDanielle started playing women’s rugby during her freshman year at Miami University in the fall of 1999.Danielle did not play much that first semester as she was learning how to play this new sport. During hersecond year with the team, Danielle started helping in the administrative side of managing the club. In thespring, all‐star teams were selected and Danielle was selected to play for the Ohio Under‐23 team. Thatsummer she was selected to play for the Midwest Under‐21 and Under‐23 team as well as the USA Under‐23Women’s National team.In her third year at Miami University, Danielle became the Miami Women’s Rugby Club team president andcoach. Danielle continued to represent her college and her country as a national team player. Again, Daniellerepresented the Ohio U‐23 All‐Star team, the Midwest U‐23 All‐Star Team, and the USA U‐23 Women’sNational Team. She was named to the USA Rugby 1 st Team All‐American for her rugby and academic success.Danielle’s fourth year at Miami University was a continuation of developing her leadership skills as thepresident and coach. She learned how to delegate effectively and started to develop the next wave ofleaders for the club program.Danielle interned at the Miami University Varsity Strength and Conditioning Complex, training the varsitysports athletes. She traveled to England and played in 2 matches against England as a player on the USA U‐23 Women’s National Team. She required surgery on her elbow soon after that event, but continued to fulfillher responsibility as a coach to the Miami Women’s Rugby Team. Again, Danielle was named to the USARugby’s 1 st Team All‐American for her rugby and academic success. She was awarded the Miami UniversityClub Sports Female Athlete of the year award.After graduation Danielle played for the US Women’s National Rugby Team from 2004‐2006. She traveledand played internationally in places like Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, as well as all across the UnitedStates. She was selected for the 2006 Women’s World Cup. Her team placed 5 th in the world at that event.After another surgery and some time off, in 2009 Danielle was asked to help coach the USA Under‐20Women’s National Team. She joined the coaching staff and has been leading the forwards since. Her teamplaced second in the world at last year’s Nations Cup event.

In Her Words“Miami University Club Sports provided a team for me that changed my life forever. The Miami Women’sRugby Team was my Miami family. We traveled together, we studied together, and we grew up together.I developed my organizational leadership skills in working as the President with the administrative work as Iworked with the Miami University Club Sports Department, our faculty advisor, USA Rugby, Ohio RugbyUnion, Midwest Rugby Referee Union, and the opposition teams.As the coach of the Miami Women’s Rugby Club Team I learned how to effectively communicate to theplayers, conflict management, as well as organizational skills.The skills I learned as the president of the club sports team helped develop my organizational andprofessional skills. I am grateful for Miami University Club Sports Department for providing the environmentfor the Women’s Rugby Team. Reflecting back on the decision to attend that meeting and the path it tookme on, I would not change a thing.”Lasting Impact“Danielle Miller is a special player and person, who has recently taken the reigns as head coach of the USANational U20 Women’s Rugby Team. Although she had an amazing career as a player for the national team,her ability to coach the next generation of rugby Olympians is amazing. This is a well‐deserved honor andMiami University should be proud to have started Danielle on her rugby path to so much deserved success.We are certainly proud to have her involved in USA Rugby!” – Kurt Weaver, USA Rugby“Danielle was every coach's dream player; she had the inner drive, determination and natural talent forrugby. She was a strong leader and represented Miami U well on and off the field. I am just honored that Iwas able to be part of her rugby journey!” – Jen Smithart, former coach