Dr. Lin Miller named USA Wrestling Woman of the Year
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by Gary Abbott
Dr. Lin Miller of Bernardsville, N.J., a driving force behind USA Wrestling's successful "Night and Drive of Champions" special events, has been named Woman of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding woman for her contributions to the sport of wrestling.
Miller, an educator for 21 years who teaches kindergarten, became involved in the fundraising events after meeting Steven John Jastrabek, a community leader who serves as the Chairman of the New Jersey Night of Champions committee. Jastrabek invited her to be one of the organizers for a fundraising event, which was held to support USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
"When I was a child, the Olympics were a big thing that I was involved in with my family. I believe the Olympic movement has lost some of its significance with families. I was never aware of the importance of fundraising to Olympic sports. I wanted to be a part of it. I knew many influential people through the children I teach, as well as at my summer job with a camp. It has allowed me to reach out and be a better person," Miller said.
Miller was among the leaders for the first "Night of Champions" was held in 2004 with 160 patrons attending the event. It was staged at the U.S. Equestrian Center. Bruce Baumgartner, New Jersey's most decorated Olympian made an appearance and the U.S. Equestrian Team did a demonstration.
She was a co-chairperson of the first event. The "live" and silent auction was managed almost entirely by Dr. Miller and she worked tirelessly to make this event stand out in a community that is deluged with charity events. Dr. Miller and the local organizing committee did a tremendous job making it a success.
Again serving as a co-champion, Miller also helped organize the 2006 Drive and Night of Champions, a golf outing and gala/roast of Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner. The event took place at the prestigious Hamilton Farm Golf Club. A full field of golfers played on its prestigious golf course, followed by a cocktail party/silent auction. The main feature of the evening was a roast of Olympic champion Rulon Gardner. The 270 patrons roared with laughter as Olympic Champions Steve Fraser, Dan Gable, World Champion Dremiel Byers, two-time U.S. Olympic Weightlifter Shane Hamman, Hollywood star "Billy Baldwin" and Rulon's agent Danielle Marquis shared a panel that took Rulon apart. The Master of Ceremonies was Bruce Beck, sports anchor for NBC's largest affiliate WNBC. This event raised an unprecedented $160,000.
In 2007, Dr. Miller was named President of the New Jersey Night of Champions, and headed up another USA Wrestling event, which celebrated the Olympic relationship between the USA and China. Almost 300 people enjoyed a video welcome for the U.S. Ambassador to China from his office in Beijing. Many members of the 1972 Olympic Freestyle Team were there to support its coach Bill Farrell, who received USA Wrestling Lifetime Achievement Award. Also honored were the 1984 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Teams and the 1984 Chinese Olympic Volleyball Team with their Captain the great "Jenny" Lang Ping in attendance. Over $200,000 was raised as well as a continuing elevated perception of USA Wrestling.
This year, Dr. Miller will again take the lead as USA Wrestling hosted the "Fuel the Dream" special event in Bernardsville, N.J. on June 21. This event hopes to eclipse the last three efforts. Funds are being raised to directly support members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Olympic athletes in all three styles attended this event, which was a tremendous success.
Miller never competed on sports teams, but has an interest in sports. The meetings of the New Jersey Night of Champions committee are held at her home. Her daughter Maggie helps out as a volunteer for the events, handling numerous tasks to support the functions.
"I was very surprised about this honor. I feel like I am a behind-the-scenes person. It is such an honor. USA Wrestling has supported us in all of these events. (USA Wrestling Executive Director) Rich Bender and (Development Director) Larry Nugent saw more in me than I saw in myself. I appreciate their support. This is a tremendous honor," said Miller.
Miller, an educator for 21 years who teaches kindergarten, became involved in the fundraising events after meeting Steven John Jastrabek, a community leader who serves as the Chairman of the New Jersey Night of Champions committee. Jastrabek invited her to be one of the organizers for a fundraising event, which was held to support USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
"When I was a child, the Olympics were a big thing that I was involved in with my family. I believe the Olympic movement has lost some of its significance with families. I was never aware of the importance of fundraising to Olympic sports. I wanted to be a part of it. I knew many influential people through the children I teach, as well as at my summer job with a camp. It has allowed me to reach out and be a better person," Miller said.
Miller was among the leaders for the first "Night of Champions" was held in 2004 with 160 patrons attending the event. It was staged at the U.S. Equestrian Center. Bruce Baumgartner, New Jersey's most decorated Olympian made an appearance and the U.S. Equestrian Team did a demonstration.
She was a co-chairperson of the first event. The "live" and silent auction was managed almost entirely by Dr. Miller and she worked tirelessly to make this event stand out in a community that is deluged with charity events. Dr. Miller and the local organizing committee did a tremendous job making it a success.
Again serving as a co-champion, Miller also helped organize the 2006 Drive and Night of Champions, a golf outing and gala/roast of Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner. The event took place at the prestigious Hamilton Farm Golf Club. A full field of golfers played on its prestigious golf course, followed by a cocktail party/silent auction. The main feature of the evening was a roast of Olympic champion Rulon Gardner. The 270 patrons roared with laughter as Olympic Champions Steve Fraser, Dan Gable, World Champion Dremiel Byers, two-time U.S. Olympic Weightlifter Shane Hamman, Hollywood star "Billy Baldwin" and Rulon's agent Danielle Marquis shared a panel that took Rulon apart. The Master of Ceremonies was Bruce Beck, sports anchor for NBC's largest affiliate WNBC. This event raised an unprecedented $160,000.
In 2007, Dr. Miller was named President of the New Jersey Night of Champions, and headed up another USA Wrestling event, which celebrated the Olympic relationship between the USA and China. Almost 300 people enjoyed a video welcome for the U.S. Ambassador to China from his office in Beijing. Many members of the 1972 Olympic Freestyle Team were there to support its coach Bill Farrell, who received USA Wrestling Lifetime Achievement Award. Also honored were the 1984 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Teams and the 1984 Chinese Olympic Volleyball Team with their Captain the great "Jenny" Lang Ping in attendance. Over $200,000 was raised as well as a continuing elevated perception of USA Wrestling.
This year, Dr. Miller will again take the lead as USA Wrestling hosted the "Fuel the Dream" special event in Bernardsville, N.J. on June 21. This event hopes to eclipse the last three efforts. Funds are being raised to directly support members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Olympic athletes in all three styles attended this event, which was a tremendous success.
Miller never competed on sports teams, but has an interest in sports. The meetings of the New Jersey Night of Champions committee are held at her home. Her daughter Maggie helps out as a volunteer for the events, handling numerous tasks to support the functions.
"I was very surprised about this honor. I feel like I am a behind-the-scenes person. It is such an honor. USA Wrestling has supported us in all of these events. (USA Wrestling Executive Director) Rich Bender and (Development Director) Larry Nugent saw more in me than I saw in myself. I appreciate their support. This is a tremendous honor," said Miller.
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