Bob “The Emory Express” Miller was originally from Portage, Pennsylvania, and in 1948 took his talents to play running back for the Wasps at Emory and Henry College.
Even after 50 years, Miller’s name still stands on 12 football records, where he became Virginia’s first repeat All-American, being named to the Second-Team in 1949 and First-Team in 1950 and 51. It was in 1951, while celebrating his third straight season as state scoring leader and his third time named Team All-State (All-Divisions), that Miller was named Virginia State All-Division Player of the Year. With Bob Miller leading the charge, Emory and Henry’s record from 1949-51 was an incredible 28-1-1, with two consecutive major bowl appearances.
When he graduated, “The Emory Express” held four NCAA records including scoring (379 points), touchdowns (63), single season all-purpose yards (1,833) and career all-purpose yards (5,851), a record that stood for more than 20 years.
It was said of Bob Miller that tacklers rarely got a solid hit on him, and that he always managed to keep the defense off balance. Those who watched him say he was a star and those who played with him describe Miller as the consummate team player.
After college, Miller continued to play football for two more years on the service team at Fort Eustis. He was later the head football coach at high schools in Emporia and Tazewell. Miller spent his last forty years in Tazewell before passing in 1996.