NYS Broadcasters Association To Welcome Miller Into 2008 Hall Of Fame

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ALBANY, NY (05/19/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) today announced that legendary Buffalo Bills play-by-play announcer Van Miller has been named to NYSBA's 2008 Hall of Fame.

The Tonawanda, NY native joins fellow Hall of Fame-bound nominees, including Roger King, the "father of modern TV syndication;" veteran radio manager John Kelly; acclaimed radio general manager Bob Bruno; and, former president of ABC Radio Network Ed McLaughlin

Miller will be inducted during the Tony Malara Awards Dinner at NYSBA's 47th Executive Conference slated for June 24 at the picturesque Sagamore Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing.

"Van is truly deserving of this honor. For more than three decades, he was a cohesive voice that kept Buffalo energized and united behind their beloved football team," remarked NYSBA President Joseph A. Reilly. "Although now officially retired from the business, Van's legacy lives on in the voices and styles of many of today's Western New York broadcasters."

After attending Fredonia State and Syracuse University, Miller launched his storied play-by-play career covering basketball and football at WFCB in Dunkirk. Following the outbreak of the Korean War, he become WFCB's sports and program director and began broadcasting Fredonia State basketball, along with professional wrestling, quiz shows, soapbox derbies, auto racing, and big band music shows.

In 1955, WBEN radio and TV offered him a three-month job as a summer replacement announcer. He took the job and stayed on for 43 years never missing a day's work, turning down offers from NBC, CBS and ABC to remain close to his mother in Dunkirk, who raised him with no help.

Miller's play-by-play at WBEN began with University of Buffalo basketball and football. Miller also hosted a popular afternoon radio show, performed commercial work, and did a high school TV quiz show for 16 years. He also handled the early morning news at WIVB-4, then took over the evening newscasts on weekends.

In 1960, Miller broke into broadcasting's "big leagues" as the pioneer voice of the new Buffalo Bills of the American Football League - a position he held for the next 37 years. As the longest running play-by-play man with the same team in NFL history, Miller's calls have been used for years on HBO, Inside the NFL, all three major networks, ESPN and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Van's service to the Buffalo Bills through those years was quite exceptional," added Reilly. "He experienced the lows of the team (2-14 in 1984 and 1985) along with four Super Bowl titles."

While Miller is best known as the voice of the Bills, his excitable narrative could also be heard at Bisons (baseball), Braves (basketball) and Stallions (soccer) games. Before his retirement in 1998, he broadcast more than 2,500 games and sporting contests.

Through the years, Miller's versatile announcing skills have often been recognized. In 1999, he joined the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Five years later, NFL officials voted Miller into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by presenting him the Pete Rozelle Award. He is also a member of the Western New York Sports Hall of Fame, the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.

Married 55 years to his devoted wife, Gloria, Miller has a daughter, Cathy, a son, Van, and three grandchildren.

For more information on NYSBA's 47th Annual Executive Conference, call (518) 456-8888, or go to www.nysbroadcasters.org.

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Founded in 1955, the NYS Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) represents the interests of more than 500 television and radio stations in the NYS Assembly, the US Congress, and various other legislative bodies. NYSBA also offers a variety of services to help the broadcasters of New York State better serve their communities. For more information, call (518) 456-8888 or go to www.nysbroadcasters.org.