Inductee in Wichita Sports Hall of Fame: RALPH MILLER, Coach - 2004

In the 1950s and early ‘60s, Wichita State opponents dreaded the raucous crowds and the yellow glow of The Roundhouse. What they feared more was the constant full-court, zone pressure defense of Coach Miller’s Shockers, who scored many of their points by forcing foes into turnovers and shooting layups. Miller used zone pressure to fashion a career in which he won  674 games and championships in three conferences. An all-around athlete at Chanute High and the University of Kansas, Miller began his coaching career at Wichita East High in 1948, winning 63 games and one state title in three years. Then he went to Wichita University and put together a 220-133 record in 14 seasons. He also coached at Iowa University and Oregon State, retiring as the sixth winningest coach in NCAA history. He was the National Basketball Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1982, took nine teams to NCAA tournaments and five to the NIT. Miller  was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.