Clarence Paul "Sally" Miles (June 21, 1879 – May 2, 1966) was the head coach of the Virginia Tech college football program from 1905 to 1906.
Known as "Mr. VPI," there isn't much Miles didn't do during his nearly 59 years at Virginia Tech. His contributions have been recognized by the university by naming a playing field, a stadium (where the War Memorial Gym stands today), a professorship, and a building in his honor. Miles died two weeks before the dedication of Clarence P. Miles Hall, which served as housing for male athletics.
Miles' nickname "Sally" was a shortened form of "Salskinner," which he brought with him from high school. As an undergraduate, Miles was captain of the baseball team. As a graduate student, he was captain of the football team and was named to the first team of the All-Southern team as a tackle. Miles remained on campus to teach chemistry and to coach football and baseball. Miles' 1905 team is credited with VPI's first-ever victory over the University of Virginia. U.Va. was so incensed by the loss that it refused to play Tech again until 1923.
Miles also served as athletic director, treasurer and dean of the college (then a combined version of a provost and admissions director). He helped organize the Southern Conference, serving as its president. Miles tried but failed to earn membership for Virginia Tech into the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Famous quotes containing the words sally and/or miles:
“It is handsomer to remain in the establishment better than the establishment, and conduct that in the best manner, than to make a sally against evil by some single improvement, without supporting it by a total regeneration.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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—P.J. (Patrick Jake)