Loran Smith - Robert Miles

Loran

Smith

The University of Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation recently conducted its annual awards banquet, which was the conclusion of the tenure of Robert Miles as president.

Georgia has the largest chapter in the nation, and Miles has been an influential leader of an organization which has, for many years, underscored charitable support for the community along with honoring outstanding football players and local citizens.

Robert grew up in Mongomery, the sixth of seven children, the “knee” baby, a term that reflects that the baby of the family was always in the matriarch’s lap and the next oldest was always at her knee.

While he knew austerity in his life, Robert was the beneficiary of family togetherness and was imbued with the influence of the value of education. He was a responsible student, never disdaining homework and was always uplifted by learning opportunities.

He grew up in segregated Montgomery, constantly troubled emotionally that the state capital was labeled “Cradle of the Confederacy.” Alabama car tags also featured that slogan. However, Robert constantly underscored positive principles, always too busy to hate.

There were two influences which were defining in his life: St. Jude, the parochial school he attended were he learned to appreciate discipline and classroom responsibility and his grandfather’s farm which was 25 miles out in the country.

His grandparents also owned a grocery store in the community of Hayneville. While there were farm chores he was expected to assist with, there was the treat that came from enjoying vegetable-oriented meals. “My grandparents always had a vegetable garden with things like corn, peas, cantaloupe and watermelon. It was fun helping them cultivate and harvest in season. We enjoyed working in the garden because we knew how great mealtime would be,” Robert says.

At St. Jude, Robert learned about discipline and played sports. He grew 6-and 200 pounds. There was speed and quickness in his makeup, and he was motivated to compete and improve.

He played on the St. Jude basketball team that won the state AA title, which was his first taste of winning a championship that would be surpassed by Georgia’s winning the 1980 national championship in football.

That was a high moment in his football life. Not just the ring, but the companionship and love that existed among the team members, a diverse group that today remains irretrievably bonded—an ongoing mutual admiration society. “We meet from time to time and are always keeping in touch with each other. If someone needs an continued from page

assist, we all work to see if we can provide what ever is needed,” Robert says.

Growing up in a state which has one of the biggest football rivalries in college football, Auburn and Alabama, he was attracted to the Auburn program during the heyday of Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley. In Alabama, you can’t be neutral. You must declare allegiance to one or the other.

When it came time for him to make college plans, he aspired to compete on the college level and had an open mind about where he would enroll. He knew that he would likely have to walk on wherever he played. There were not a lot of college scouts hanging around his high school.

At that time, a high school coach in Atlanta, Calvin Jones, had taken a job with the Bulldog basketball program, but he was also a football recruiter. He had married into Robert’s family and told him, “You should take a look at the University of Georgia. There is great opportunity there.”

All his older siblings, influenced by their father David, who worked at a hospital at nearby Tuskegee University, had all found a way to enroll in college. Robert was determined to make sure the family streak remained intact. He passed on the importance of competition and education to his sons Joshua (minister), Caleb (manager of the Georgia Theatre) and Nathan (lawyer).

Today his voice remains active with the Georgia athletes who are in reach of degree. He reminds them of the value a degree will make in their lives and their future. He provides counseling and advice to Georgia athletes, an invaluable member of the athletic staff who is caring, selfless and always lending a helping hand.