Paula Miller completed her 36th year as head coach of the Bombers' women's swimming & diving program in the 2019-20 season. Miller has guided the Bombers to 12 top-10 finishes at the NCAA Division III Championship, 29 NYSWCAA/UNYSCSA titles and 30 conference championships (17 Empire 8). She is a two-time NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, winning that award in 1987 and 1999.
In 2018, diver Nickie Griesemer won the program's first individual national championships in diving, taking the crown in both the one- and three-meter dives. Griesemer totaled 467.60 on the one-meter springboard and 516.30 on the three-meter board. In 1988-89, Amy Robinson claimed the program's first national title in the 100-yard backstroke, and in 1998-99, Renee Helbok secured the 500 freestyle championship.
Miller, a 13-time NYSWCAA and UNYSCSA Coach of the Year, has guided the Bombers to two fourth-place finishes at the NCAA meet (1987 and 1989). She came to Ithaca in 1984 as head coach for the men's and women's teams. Miller won 29 of 34 dual meets while coaching the men's team before she began to concentrate solely on the women's program.
Over her 36 years at the helm, Miller has overseen 11 undefeated dual seasons, including a string of four straight years (2010-14 – 48 meets) without a loss. Miller coached 78 student-athletes to 496 All-America honors and nine members from her teams are in the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Under the guidance of Miller, 18 student-athletes achieved more than 10 All-America honors, including five who eclipsed more than 20. Maria Ampula notched an impressive total of 28 All-America nods from 1991-94, while Renee Helbok (1996-99), Dawn Schmalzriedt (1991-94) and Nancy Stapp (1985-89) all amassed 25 All-American selections. Julie Smith (1992-95) reached the podium 21 times during her career.
A 1973 graduate of Bridgewater State, Miller was inducted into her alma mater's athletic hall of fame in 1990. She earned her master's degree and was an assistant coach at Indiana State University. Miller's previous head coaching experience includes stints at Arkansas-Fayetteville and California-Sacramento.
3/20/20
