California Golden Bears Athletics
Billy Miller pursued a dream to come to Berkeley.
Get Uncomfortable, Participate in Greatness, And Win
4/25/2023 3:35 PM | DEIBJ
For the first time in my life, I could see my life splinter into two very clear, very distinct paths – a 3,000-mile wide fork in the road. Down one road, I could stay in Boston, at my university, in my home, with my people. I could order the same bagel from the same wonderful lady who knows it's always a jalapeno cheddar with plain schmear. I could go out to the same places that I used to dread standing in line for (but now feel almost wistful toward). I could go to the same games at my alma mater that I so desperately want to be great. Down the other road, I could try a new bagel, I could find a new dive, I could make myself uncomfortable, and I could have tangible change in helping a team win. So I scolded myself – "Who am I to choose comfort over challenge?"
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Growing up as a swimmer in a Cal-dominated era, I marveled at the athletes who came out of Spieker – Anthony Ervin, Missy Franklin, Nathan Adrian, Natalie Coughlin, Josh Prenot, Dana Vollmer, just to name a few. The University of California, Berkeley, to me is the absolute peak of one's ability to perform in college and is on the top of every recruit's list. But coming from a small midwest town, Berkeley was always just a dream. It was a make-believe place with sun-drenched rolling hills and where Olympians I saw on television went to win medals. Moving here provided the opportunity to make that dream tangible. And that is why any of us are passionate about "jobs" like this, right; to make dreams come true. Selfishly, accepting this opportunity is as much about making my own dream come true as it is helping hundreds of student-athletes achieve their dreams as well.
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Because I believe in Cal. I believe in developing the whole student-athlete, I believe in the talent here at Berkeley, and I believe that Cal can and will continue to win national championships. Success here is not only a want for coaches, athletes, and alumni, but rather it is an expectation. And by making the jump across the country, I have the opportunity to participate in competing and winning at the highest levels while learning from the best in the business.
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So people have asked, "Why did you move 3,000 miles, knowing almost no one, to go to a state that you've only spent 90 minutes in?" And that's my answer – to get uncomfortable, to participate in greatness, and, ultimately, to win. But I have only been here for 2 months now so let me turn the question back to those who have been here for years and developed their lives around this institution: what is your Cal why?
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Go Bears!
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Billy Miller is an Associate Director, Leadership Giving, for the Cal Athletics Fund.
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Growing up as a swimmer in a Cal-dominated era, I marveled at the athletes who came out of Spieker – Anthony Ervin, Missy Franklin, Nathan Adrian, Natalie Coughlin, Josh Prenot, Dana Vollmer, just to name a few. The University of California, Berkeley, to me is the absolute peak of one's ability to perform in college and is on the top of every recruit's list. But coming from a small midwest town, Berkeley was always just a dream. It was a make-believe place with sun-drenched rolling hills and where Olympians I saw on television went to win medals. Moving here provided the opportunity to make that dream tangible. And that is why any of us are passionate about "jobs" like this, right; to make dreams come true. Selfishly, accepting this opportunity is as much about making my own dream come true as it is helping hundreds of student-athletes achieve their dreams as well.
Â
Because I believe in Cal. I believe in developing the whole student-athlete, I believe in the talent here at Berkeley, and I believe that Cal can and will continue to win national championships. Success here is not only a want for coaches, athletes, and alumni, but rather it is an expectation. And by making the jump across the country, I have the opportunity to participate in competing and winning at the highest levels while learning from the best in the business.
Â
So people have asked, "Why did you move 3,000 miles, knowing almost no one, to go to a state that you've only spent 90 minutes in?" And that's my answer – to get uncomfortable, to participate in greatness, and, ultimately, to win. But I have only been here for 2 months now so let me turn the question back to those who have been here for years and developed their lives around this institution: what is your Cal why?
Â
Go Bears!
Â
Billy Miller is an Associate Director, Leadership Giving, for the Cal Athletics Fund.
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