Pioneer coaches excited about adding University of Michigan recruit Ricardo Miller and his brother, Chazz, to their programs
Jeremy Gold isn't the only Pioneer High School coach excited about the family of Ricardo Miller moving from Orlando and into the school's district.
Gold is thrilled to have a 6-foot-2, Big Ten-caliber receiver drop into his football program. But Rex Stanczak is also excited about Chazz Miller, a sophomore-to-be basketball player who stands at 6-foot-6 with growing to do (he wears size 18 shoes).
As reported in the Detroit Free Press, the Miller family spent two weeks in the Ann Arbor area, looking for a place to call home as Ricardo prepares to enroll at the University of Michigan.
Earlier reports indicated Ricardo Miller would join his future Michigan teammate, wide receiver Jeremy Jackson, at Huron High School.
"When you get somebody of Ricardo’s caliber, you definitely are going to welcome him with open arms into your building and program," Gold said. "And I don’t think we’ll have any issues with our kids accepting him. He's a great kid and our kids enjoy him. They're looking forward to working with him."
"Hopefully he can elevate our game to another level."
Miller is the No. 24 wide receiver prospect in the nation, according to Rivals, and was Michigan’s first commitment in the class of 2010.
VIDEO: RICARDO MILLER HIGHLIGHTS
While his brother's athletic ability is well-documented (see the highlight video above from his junior season at Dr. Phillip High School), Stanczak is excited about helping Chazz Miller develop his game over the next three seasons.
"I can't tell you how good of a player he is, because I haven't seen him play," Stanczak said. "But he's big, he's a great kid and he has outstanding genes considering the level of athlete his brother is."
Stanczak has exchanged emails with some people in Orlando familiar with Chazz and has heard that he is "a very willing pupil, very coachable."
That type of personality trait fits in with the coaches' brief exposure to the family. They said Ricardo and Chazz are strong students (their mother, Ann, stresses academics over athletics) and strikingly well-mannered.
"They're a great family and Ricardo is a humble kid and hard worker," Gold said.
Stanczak was impressed during a tour of the Pioneer facilities with the family and athletic director Lorin Cartwright.
"One of them opened every door for her," Stanczak said. "That's something you don't see all the time with young guys."
Comments
Rich Rezler
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 9:02 p.m.
Prometheus: Transfer students are ineligible for one semester unless they meet one of the stated exceptions to the MHSAA transfer rule. Eight of the exceptions have to do with what the MHSAA deems "full and complete residential changes." You can't get much more "full and complete" than moving from Florida to Michigan.
Prometheus
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 3:42 p.m.
When most students move into a district, they have to sit out a semester before they can participate in sports. How did the Miller family so easily obtain a waiver? Hmmm...
bballcoachfballfan
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 10:02 a.m.
Thanks to 81wolverine for the flattering comments about the Pioneer basketball staff. We are excited to have an opportunity to work with the Miller family. They are terrific people and we welcome them to the Pioneer Family.
81wolverine
Tue, Aug 4, 2009 : 6:02 p.m.
This is fantastic news for Pioneer sports. Ricardo will really help Pioneer this fall even though he'll only be there one season. But, his brother sounds like he has a lot of potential. Coach Stanczak must be ecstatic! He's already a very good coach. But, to get a very tall athletic player who is very coachable must be like a Godsend. The most significant thing to me about this article is the importance of academics and manners to the Miller family. Being pretty "old school", I find it very rewarding to see people emphasize academics and manners. Great job Miller family and welcome to Ann Arbor!
tater
Tue, Aug 4, 2009 : 1:29 p.m.
Even though I am a Huron grad, I like this move. It will keep the Miller family (most notably "little" brother Chazz) kitty-corner from the Big House and Crisler on a regular basis, which might really help out John Beilen in a couple of years. Also, Miller can get his stats at Pioneer and Jackson can get his at Huron. And "the game" will be even more fun this year than most.