Greg McMillan '85, is a Sun Devil Track & Field Letterwinner, graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business and Sun Devil Athletics supporter. We asked Greg a few questions about his experience as a Sun Devil student-athlete and what it means to him to support Sun Devil Athletics.
How did attending Arizona State impact your life the most? I would define my time at ASU as my most formative years. It prepared me both socially and intellectually for my adult life. ASU laid the foundation for what I’ve built my career and family life on.
What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil? In one word, PROUD. It’s a pride that started the first day I stepped foot on campus 40 years ago and is just as strong today.
Why do you think it is important to support student-athletes and Sun Devil Athletics? If I had not participated as a Sun Devil student-athlete, I would not be the person I am today. The experience provided me the lessons in life on comradery, teamwork, goal setting, perseverance, humility, grace and character. The program gave so much to me, that I feel it’s important to give back.
What is your favorite memory from your time at ASU? Two moments stand out. One came my freshman year with my first Pac-10 win in my individual event. It couldn’t have been sweeter, coming against U of A in Tucson. The next was our team Pac-10 conference title my freshman year.
What’s it like to come back to campus? It feels like coming home. I grew up in Illinois and now live in Texas, but when I get back to campus, I’m home.
What advice would you give to current student-athletes, specifically members of the track and field team? My head track coach at ASU, Len Miller, used to quote Vince Lombardi, “Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.” That always stuck with me. My advice would be to train by these words and live by them in whatever endeavors you take on after your track and field career is over.
If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past or present, who would it be and why? It would definitely be Coach Bill Kajikawa, the Patriarch of Sun Devil Sports. My biggest regret is not having a chance to meet him before his passing. During his tenure at ASU he played football for three years and went on to coach another 41 years. He was head freshman football and varsity assistant coach for 41 years under nine different head varsity coaches. At times he was also the head varsity basketball and baseball coach. As a player, coach or in retirement he only missed two home football games in 73 years. No one has contributed more to ASU athletics and the university community than Coach Kajikawa.
The Sun Devil Club would like to thank Greg for his continued support of Sun Devil Athletics. For more information on ways to get involved with the Sun Devil Club, please contact us.