FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIAMI, Okla. — Miami Public Schools has named Millie George-Gilion as the district’s new athletic director, bringing one of the most accomplished athletes in Miami, Oklahoma history back to lead Wardog athletics.
A standout at Miami High School, Gilion was a trailblazer for girls’ athletics. During the six-on-six era of girls basketball, she became one of the program’s career scoring leaders, including two 45-point games during the 1981 season. She was the Lady Wardogs’ first-ever all-state basketball player and received the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award in 1981.
Gilion also excelled in track and field, winning three state championships and setting a then-state record in the long jump (18 feet, 3½ inches). She also captured titles in the 80-yard hurdles and 200-yard hurdles and graduated as co-salutatorian of her class.
After competing in basketball and softball at Crowder College and finishing her collegiate career at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Gilion returned to Crowder in 1988 as head softball coach and later served as athletic director. Her teams compiled a 506–141 record over 13 seasons and finished second in the nation in 1991 and 1992. She also coached at the 1993 United States Olympic Festival in San Antonio.
Gilion trained at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and competed in the Pan American Games in 1982, before softball was an Olympic sport. She was inducted into the NJCAA Softball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002, the Miami High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2026 as both a player and a coach.
Miami Public Schools is excited to welcome Millie home to support the next generation of Wardog student-athletes.