The sports speakers series made its return to Ferris on Monday, Feb. 16, in the David Eisler Center ballroom, where students and faculty gathered to hear from featured speaker Shimmy Miller
Miller, a Flint native and former University of Michigan basketball player, spoke to students at Ferris as a part of the sports speaker series held by the Ferris State Sports Professionals Association. Miller reflected on her journey from a first-generation college student in Flint to a professional athlete, Division I coach, and nationally recognized sports analyst. She shared her story in hopes of inspiring the next generation of sports leaders.
The sports speaker series is a way for the SPA to connect with prominent figures within the field of Sports Communication and share their story with students who may have similar goals or aspirations.
Miller serves as an analyst for the Big Ten Conference, providing expert commentary and insight on basketball games, drawing from her experience as a player and a coach. She also works with the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, breaking down games and offering analysis that highlights both strategy and player development.
Sports communication senior Jonathen Hart introduced Miller to the audience and explained why the speaker selection was especially meaningful to him.
“It is truly an honor to be able to introduce someone who represents excellence, leadership, and longevity into the world of basketball,” Hart said. “It was one of those experiences that reminds you how powerful dreams and persistence can be.”
Hart long admired her journey in athletics, seeing in her a role model who turned ambition and perseverance into a lasting career. Welcoming Miller to the sports speakers series was a full-circle moment.
Hart’s introduction set the stage for Miller to share her own experiences and insights with the audience. Reflecting on her journey from Flint to the national stage, Miller encouraged students to embrace challenges and pivot when faced with obstacles.
Growing up in Flint taught her how to generate her own opportunities and pivot when life doesn’t go as planned. She shared the story about how she took the news when she found out her head coaching contract wasn’t being renewed at St. Louis University. Miller didn’t let that experience define her and used the turning point as an opportunity to grow.
“Taking that time to create a little separation and reverse pivot helped me to land a job as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska,” Miller said. “Some people look at that as a step backwards. It wasn’t a setback to me because I know how to control the controllable. I control my attitude, I control my energy and I control my effort.”
This was not the final pivot of Miller’s career, as she had to do one more. Miller believed she had outgrown coaching and decided to move into the field of broadcasting.
She started by applying for an internship at the Big Ten Network, Miller spoke about her decision to apply.
“I was scrolling Twitter one day when I saw that the Big Ten Conference was offering an internship for former Big Ten student-athletes,” Miller said. “It was for if former student-athletes are interested in a career in broadcasting, and so I applied for it.”
This began her transition from coaching, to being a leading analyst for the Big Ten Network, as well as the lead analyst for the Chicago Sky, where she is at today.
Coordinator of sports communication, Dr. Jen Coburn, who hosted the event, spoke about what it means to Ferris to be able to have Miller to speak to the students and faculty.
“Somebody of Shimmy Millers caliber, to take time out of her day to talk with us, for me, is amazing.” Coburn said. “She broadens our horizons, Shimmy showed us all of her, she spoke about her personal life, she spoke about her professional life, and spoke about her life as an athlete.”
Miller strived to encourage students to continue taking reps and not back down when you face pressure. The art of the pivot is an art that is hard to learn but Miller perfected it and strives to teach others that they can do the same.