Michigan State University Athletics
Michael Miller Returns for Super Senior Season
10/27/2021 10:26:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Michigan State men's soccer midfielder Michael Miller is getting a do-over for last year's tough senior season.
Miller, like the rest of the college sports world, had to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. His season was changed from fall 2020 to spring 2021. And then he was exposed to COVID, and was forced to sit out a few games.
Nothing felt right. Which is why when the NCAA granted senior athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Miller decided to stay for a fifth year as a postgraduate student.
"I really wanted to come back. To finish up school, play for my fans, and my parents," said Miller.
He is an important part of the Spartans, serving as a captain and a prime driver of the MSU offensive attack.
"There are two types of captains: you have someone who leads by example and vocal leaders. Michael has always led by example even as a freshman. I think over the years as he has become more comfortable with our system he is also now becoming a vocal leader," said MSU head coach Damon Rensing.
Miller started his drive for soccer as a young child. Soccer has always been in Miller's life, both Miller's father and grandfather were players. Miller's grandfather played for many years and coached in Peoria, Illinois. His father, Chris Miller, played at Bradley University.
Prior to becoming a Spartan, Miller played for the Sockers FC, which is an academy in Chicago that cultivates their players to their maximum potential. Miller scored 25 career goals throughout his years at the academy.
Soccer is still in Miller's future, hopefully even after his career at Michigan State. Miller wants to go on to play professionally for a couple of years and see where it leads him.
"It has always been a goal since I was a child. It is something I will never give up on," Miller said, who is studying advertising.
His past four seasons at MSU have set him up for future success.
In 2017, Miller played in seven games as a freshman, setting the bar for the following years. In his sophomore year, Miller was third on the team with 34 corner kicks and played in all 23 games of the season. The following year Miller became the leading scorer for a total of seven points with two goals and three assists.
A lot of progress has been made from his freshman year to where he stands now.
"Miller was more of a technical player, but I think as he's taken on these games he has taken on more of a leadership role and is more of a coach on the field," said Rensing.
"I want to do everything I can for the team," Miller said.
Miller is taking advantage of this opportunity to push his team towards winning the Big Ten this season.
"I would love to wear a ring everywhere I go," said Miller.
Miller, like the rest of the college sports world, had to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. His season was changed from fall 2020 to spring 2021. And then he was exposed to COVID, and was forced to sit out a few games.
Nothing felt right. Which is why when the NCAA granted senior athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Miller decided to stay for a fifth year as a postgraduate student.
"I really wanted to come back. To finish up school, play for my fans, and my parents," said Miller.
He is an important part of the Spartans, serving as a captain and a prime driver of the MSU offensive attack.
"There are two types of captains: you have someone who leads by example and vocal leaders. Michael has always led by example even as a freshman. I think over the years as he has become more comfortable with our system he is also now becoming a vocal leader," said MSU head coach Damon Rensing.
Miller started his drive for soccer as a young child. Soccer has always been in Miller's life, both Miller's father and grandfather were players. Miller's grandfather played for many years and coached in Peoria, Illinois. His father, Chris Miller, played at Bradley University.
Prior to becoming a Spartan, Miller played for the Sockers FC, which is an academy in Chicago that cultivates their players to their maximum potential. Miller scored 25 career goals throughout his years at the academy.
Soccer is still in Miller's future, hopefully even after his career at Michigan State. Miller wants to go on to play professionally for a couple of years and see where it leads him.
"It has always been a goal since I was a child. It is something I will never give up on," Miller said, who is studying advertising.
His past four seasons at MSU have set him up for future success.
In 2017, Miller played in seven games as a freshman, setting the bar for the following years. In his sophomore year, Miller was third on the team with 34 corner kicks and played in all 23 games of the season. The following year Miller became the leading scorer for a total of seven points with two goals and three assists.
A lot of progress has been made from his freshman year to where he stands now.
"Miller was more of a technical player, but I think as he's taken on these games he has taken on more of a leadership role and is more of a coach on the field," said Rensing.
"I want to do everything I can for the team," Miller said.
Miller is taking advantage of this opportunity to push his team towards winning the Big Ten this season.
"I would love to wear a ring everywhere I go," said Miller.
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