Submitted file photo: Don Miller (right) stands with Jerry Einwalter (center) and Hans Goettsch as Einwalter holds a framed Messenger sports page. Miller will be honored by Iowa State on Saturday.

AMES — Don Miller’s name will forever be synonymous with wrestling in our area.

The same could easily be said for the Fort Dodge legend’s impact on the programs at Iowa State University and the University of Wyoming.

The long-time Dodger head coach and athletic director is being honored on Saturday before the fourth-ranked Cyclones’ 1 p.m. dual with the Cowboys at Hilton Coliseum. ISU head coach Kevin Dresser — a native of Humboldt — confirmed this week it would be a perfect time to recognize Miller for his contributions to both the sport and the schools involved in the match.

“I have to credit the persistence of (ex-Dodger) Dan Winninger, who knows me from back in my Fort Dodge days and (has lived in Wyoming),” Miller said. “He called me and said Coach Dresser would like to bring me out before the meet. I laughed and said, ‘an old guy like me from over half a century ago?’ But he was insistent on making it happen, and Coach Dresser was kind enough to go along with the idea.

“I was going to be at the meet anyway. To tell you the truth, I’m not big on attention like this — especially at my age (Miller is 76 years old). But it’s flattering they’d think of me. Dan and Coach Dresser were very thoughtful about it. I love Iowa State and I love Wyoming.”

Miller’s roots run deep with the Cowboys. The native of Vincent and two-time state champion at Eagle Grove High School was a three-time Western Athletic Conference gold medalist, an All-American who placed sixth nationally in 1967, and an undefeated standout during his senior year in ’68.

Miller obtained his Master’s degree from Iowa State in 1978. He has been an ardent supporter of Cyclone athletics throughout his life, and spent nearly two decades serving as an NCAA wrestling referee for dual meets — predominantly in Ames.

“I’ve been asked what colors I’ll be wearing (on Saturday),” Miller laughed. “My son (Mark) just got me a USA wrestling shirt for Christmas…I think this is the perfect time to stay ‘neutral’ and break that out.”

Miller was inducted into the Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, months after going into the FDSH Hall of Fame. Under Miller’s direction as the Dodgers’ head wrestling coach, the school won team state titles in 1980 and ’85, while placing second in 1976 and ’82. Miller coached six individual champions, 11 runner-ups and 99 qualifiers during his 18-year tenure. He then served as FDSH athletic director and assistant principal from 1987 until 2002.

Miller is in the IHSAA Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2017, Miller and Marv Reiland received the “Bill Nelson” award from the IWCOA. Miller, Reiland and Nelson were all products of Eagle Grove.

“The Vincent, Eagle Grove and Fort Dodge communities have all been such integral parts of my life,” Miller said. “I take a great deal of pride in where I come from and the success of the area to this day. Coach Dresser is from Humboldt…there are so many deep ties to the North Central Conference and wrestling in this region.

“I love it all. It’s still fun to follow the young men through their high school journeys and at the next level to this day. There’s something about the lessons learned through wrestling that is timeless. Kids learn about themselves, grow up and get better…not just as athletes, but as people. I’m honored to say I’ve been a part of it.”

Very few figures in the rich and storied history of the Messenger area rival Don Miller and his accomplishments. Above that, there has arguably been no more consistent advocate for the sport of wrestling in north-central Iowa. Miller and his wife — fellow Eagle Grove alum Bonnie (Umstead) Miller — made this region their long-term home, staying fiercely loyal to it their entire lives.

Miller keeps close tabs on the athletes and programs here on a daily basis. He’s a wealth of information when it comes to wrestling, athletics and so much more.

The spotlight will be on Don Miller Saturday, but his thoughts and attention — like every weekend — will be on the student-athletes competing in the sport he loves at meets across Iowa.

Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt