A childhood surrounded by four athletic siblings contributed to the support Cheryl Miller needed when not many girls were competing. Those four siblings went on to be a MLB player; Hall of Fame NBA player; varsity volleyball player and All American and Olympic gold medalist. Cheryl’s unfettered energy and exuberance remains in tact some 35 plus years after she scored 105 points in a high school basketball game and was named four time All American by Parade magazine. She went on to University of Southern California, winning two national championships, and by her senior year two Naismith trophies; two Broderick (precursor to Honda ) sport awards and the Broderick Cup. Her reputation for playing big still remains as do many Trojan records including scoring, rebounding and steals. She recounts that her favorite part of basketball was stealing and taking it into the basket and taking the charge - not always executed by someone so lean and wiry.

Cheryl’s Olympic experience includes the lowlight of the Soviets boycotting, the highlight of winning the gold and the memories of being coached by Pat Summit. She believes it takes integrity, accountability, honesty… and amnesia in the locker room to be a champion. Cheryl describes the basketball champions who also earned the cup: Ann Meyers (1978 winner) as -student of the game - loyal, soft-spoken yet strong, Nancy Lieberman (1979 winner) as cocky, competent; greatest basketball entertainer, Kamie Ethridge (1986 winner) as swiveling eyes who saw everything and everyone, managed emotions and took care of players as point guard, Theresa Weatherspoon (1988 winner) as a physical point guard, bruiser with the best motivational speeches. She describes her coaches, Linda Sharp as being relationship oriented and trusting, Pat Summit structured and detailed, and Kay Yow as blending Sharp and Summit while giving all the benefit of the doubt in her spiritual way.

Cheryl coached at all levels from pro with the Phoenix Mercury, NCAA D I and NAIA. Her talents and familiarity with the game took her to a career in sports broadcasting, which may also be her next step.

Host: Chris Voelz
A co-production with the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards

For more information, links and resources plus conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at info@wispsports.com.