Timothy Miller, the founder of Miller PR Solutions LLC and former head of communications for the Columbus Crew, joined the School of Communication as a lecturer in 2023 to teach Sports Media Relations and Public Communication Campaigns. Miller is also on the governing board for Ohio State’s Sports and Society Initiative and serves as a mentor for Ohio State’s student-run public relations firm, The PRactice.
Miller said students benefit when he applies lessons from his client work to his classes and that teaching allows him to revisit the fundamentals of communication while running his business.
“In past roles, I was focused on protecting and advancing the sports brand. Now, I am teaching students why that matters, how to think strategically like communication professionals and apply it to real world scenarios so students can bridge the gap between theory and application,” said Miller.
Miller’s Sports Media Relations class is part of a 12-credit-hour Sports Communication Certificate students can earn as part of their undergraduate degree. The certificate program provides knowledge about the role media plays in sports and society, and develops the skills used in sports media relations.
He secures sports nonprofits as clients each semester in his Public Communication Campaigns class, having students work with Girls on the Run and The Braxton Miller Foundation as his 2024-2025 clients.
Since high school, Miller knew he wanted a career in sports.
“Sports have always been a part of my life. I've been passionate since I was young,” Miller said. “High school is where it became clear to me that I wanted to remain in sports even though I was no longer playing them.”
Miller got his undergraduate degree from Boston College and then worked in media relations with teams such as the Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and New England Revolution. He also worked on communications for the Boston Marathon and Brentford Football Club.
Miller went back to school in 2016 to obtain his Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University's Working Professional MBA program. He also earned his Public Relations Accreditation distinction through the Universal Accreditation Board.
Miller started out as a communications manager with the Columbus Crew. Over the course of 10 years, he moved up to head of communications and oversaw the organization’s broadcast, digital and public relations functions. His role touched internal and external communications, reputation management and crisis communications.
Since starting his own business in 2023, Miller works with teams, leagues and organizations including sports start-ups to provide strategic communication support. He advises clients and helps them navigate communication challenges, whilst providing support in their day-to-day operations. Thus far, he’s worked with Rhode Island Football Club, Football Club Dallas, Las Vegas Lights Football Club, San Jose Earthquakes and The Association of Pickleball Players.
“As a lecturer, my biggest accomplishment is seeing the lightbulb go off for students when they realize they want to pursue a career in sports,” Miller said.
Article by student Alexis Cash
