Jane Miller couldn’t believe what was happening.

There she stood, on a stage at John Paul Jones Arena, in front of all her University of Virginia colleagues, student-athletes and coaches, accepting the secretive Z Society’s highest honor: the Pale Z Award.

“It was overwhelming,” Miller said.

At the annual Hoos Choice Awards dinner on Wednesday night, the senior associate athletic director – set to retire June 24 after 35 years at UVA – was surprised with the award, which was presented by former UVA soccer players Paddy Foss and Morgan Stearns.

Foss and Stearns read a letter from the Z Society and presented Miller with framed letters of gratitude from people throughout the University with whom she has worked over the years.

Just a few minutes earlier, current UVA student-athletes Chesdin Harrington and Anna Redding had given Miller a quilt that was created by piecing together T-shirts from every varsity team at UVA.

The Pale Z Award honors outstanding leadership and contributions to the University community. Past recipients include University President Emeritus John T. Casteen III; the late Professor Emeritus Ernest “Boots” Mead Jr.; current Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Patricia Lampkin; and Nicole Eramo, the executive director of assessment and planning in Lampkin’s office.

The Z Society, founded in 1892, is believed to be the oldest remaining secret society at UVA. It is one of about 13 secret societies active on Grounds, recognizable by their anonymous good works, tradition-filled celebrations of Founder’s Day and other key moments in the life of the University – and by the ‘Z’ symbols painted on buildings across Grounds.

In an anonymous missive announcing the award, the society praised Miller as “a model member of the University community” who “has devoted much of her life to advocating for the welfare of student-athletes, and opening the door for highly qualified women to pursue a career in athletics.”

In retirement, Miller said her main goal will be to spend more time with family members who live up and down the East Coast. (Photo by Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams said Miller’s impact will be felt for years to come.

“Jane has enjoyed an incredible career as a highly respected administrator and successful coach over four decades at Virginia,” she said, adding that Miller has positively influenced the lives of countless UVA student-athletes.
 
“For me personally, she has been a tremendous resource and a trusted adviser in my first year at UVA. Her administrative experience at UVA, as well as within the ACC and NCAA governance structure, has been invaluable. We will miss her, but thankfully she will be staying in Charlottesville and is only a phone call away."

Miller, who said she barely slept Wednesday night after all the excitement, said Thursday she was beyond humbled.

“To be honored by the Z Society … it was probably the nicest thing that’s ever been done for me,” she said. “I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career, in so many different ways. … There’s not even a word for this. It was just very special.”

Earlier in the evening, Miller also received the Bus Male Memorial Service Award for her years of service to the athletics department.

“That’s voted on by the coaches, and I’ve known Bus Male’s son for a long time – so that was certainly quite an honor,” she said.

But, as has been the norm during her illustrious career, Miller didn’t want all the attention on her.

“I just think Todd Goodale, Jess Wilk and the staff do such a tremendous job in putting the Hoos Choice Awards together,” she said. “It’s really a highlight for our student-athletes in ways it never was. Just the awards they’ve added for all the student-athletes. … It’s reaffirming to see our young people get these awards and why they got them. Some are academic-oriented, some are leadership-oriented, some are athletically oriented.

“The event really shows all the wonderful things our student-athletes are doing.”

Click here for a full list of award winners.

Text of the Z Society’s citation for the Pale Z Award:

The Z Society is pleased and proud to announce that Jane Miller, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Programs, has received the Pale Z Award. The Pale Z Award is the highest and rarest honor that the Z Society can bestow.

Ms. Miller has been a model member of the University community for over 35 years. Since matriculating to the University of Virginia in 1983, she has been an imperative piece in the history of Virginia Athletics, serving as a two-sport coach, and most recently a senior administrator. Ms. Miller stands in the company of Susan Davis, Nicole Eramo, Ernest Mead, Pat Lampkin, and John Casteen – all recipients of the Pale Z Award.

Entering the University as a coach in 1983, Ms. Miller coached both the Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams, leading the Cavalier Lacrosse program to two national titles, and six final fours. In 1992, she began her administrative career, and in 1995 took it on as a full-time position, where she has remained until her upcoming retirement. As a revered coach, mentor, and administrator, Ms. Miller has paved the way for many women in athletics, nationally regarded as a pioneer in the field.

Ms. Miller has devoted much of her life to advocating for the welfare of student-athletes, and opening the door for highly qualified women to pursue a career in athletics. She is an established and well respected administrator who listens, acts, and has influenced the state of collegiate athletics for many years. Known for her High-5's, Ms. Miller has been a friend and mentor to many in her time here. We thank her for her countless contributions to enhancing the lives of student-athletes, all while bettering our University. She is most deserving of this Award.