SENATE RESOLUTION 37

(By Senator Blair (Mr. President))

[Introduced April 1, 2021]

Memorializing the life of Gilbert Benton “Gib” Miller, Sr., outstanding athlete, teacher, award-winning coach, athletic director, radio commentator, mentor, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was born in 1926, the third son of Kathleen and Paul Miller of Kearneysville, West Virginia; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was the product of a family that ran a small farm and orchard during and after the great depression, which instilled in him an incredible work ethic; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was an outstanding athlete and signed a professional baseball contract with the legendary Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics while a junior at Shepherd College. However, he did not begin his professional baseball career until after graduation per his mother’s orders.  Unfortunately, Gib’s professional baseball career ended after three years of Triple A baseball when he suffered a career-ending knee injury.  This did not end Gib’s love for the game, and he returned home and played for an additional 15 years for the Charles Town American Legion baseball team where his 15-year batting average was .400; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., began his teaching and coaching career at his beloved Hedgesville High School in 1956.  Gib taught the principles of democratic government in the classroom, and after class, he coached.  Frustrated that the kids did not have a decent ball field of their own, he worked with his friends to build and equip Hedgesville’s first baseball diamond.  Gib never had a losing season in baseball and was named West Virginia Baseball Coach of the Year in 1975 and District Baseball Coach of the Year in 1977 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., loved baseball, but he may have loved coaching basketball even more.  In 11 years as the freshmen coach, the boys won eight championships.  Gib then coached varsity basketball for 15 years, and his teams posted an astounding cumulative record of 243 wins to just 79 losses and won 10 bi-state titles and seven sectional championships.  In 1970, Gib and the Hedgesville boys beat Bramwell High School, winning the state championship game. Following that win, Gib was named the West Virginia Basketball Coach of the Year; and

Whereas, Although winning games was great, it was not the most important thing to Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr.  Gib was focused on building qualities in young men that would serve them for life.  He wanted to instill in his players that hard work had its rewards and that playing as a team was more powerful than playing as individuals.  Gib was loyal to his players and encouraged every one of them.  He taught his teams that mediocrity could be had for cheap, but excellence in life came with a cost.  To Gib, his greatest accomplishment was being able to touch a kid’s life and get them headed in the right direction; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., eventually stepped away from coaching, but remained involved with Hedgesville sports by becoming the athletic director, and was recognized as the West Virginia Athletic Director of the Year in 1988; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., retired from teaching and coaching only to begin a 15-year career working for local radio stations, providing commentary on area games during his Coaches Corner show.  Gib also became active in the Berkeley County community by joining the Martinsburg Rotary, becoming its president in 1998 and 1999, and serving on its board of directors for six years.  In addition, Gib was a director for the Berkeley 2000 Foundation and helped raise the funds needed to build the Berkeley 2000 Recreation Center, which opened in March 2002; and

  Whereas, In 2013, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was named the Honored West Virginian for the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival.  That same year, Gib received one of his most treasured honors when the health and physical education addition to his beloved Hedgesville High School was opened and dedicated to him.   Later that same year, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was inducted into the Hedgesville High School Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., was a dedicated, one-of-a-kind husband to his wife of over 40 years, Carolyn, and provided a sterling example for his children, Gilbert, Jr., Gary, Allen, Kim, Sally, and Harley, and grandchildren, Chris, Josh, Hope, Grant, Kathleen, Sarah, Taylor, Sarah, Carly, Miller, William, and Wesley, on the meaning of integrity, hard work, and faithfulness as a dad and grandfather; and

Whereas, Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr., finally retired for good and received what he would say was one of the greatest honors of his life when some former students started a Saturday morning breakfast group and saw to it that Gib got to that meeting each week; and

Whereas, Sadly, Gilbert Benton “Gib” Miller, Sr., passed away on March 24, 2021, ending a distinguished life of dedicated service to his school, players, community, and family; and

Whereas, It is fitting that the Senate pay tribute to the life and legacy of Gilbert Benton “Gib” Miller, Sr., for his many accomplishments and contributions to his community and state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby memorializes the life of Gilbert Benton Gib” Miller, Sr., outstanding athlete, teacher, award-winning coach, athletic director, radio commentator, mentor, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its most sincere condolences to the family of Gilbert Benton “Gib” Miller, Sr., on his passing; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Gilbert Benton Miller, Sr.