TREY McMILLER

Trey McMiller had plenty go right for him during the past two years. He won a state high school championship two years ago at Apopka (Fla.) High School, then was a member of Western Kentuckys national championship last season. And after a fine month of spring practice, the 19-year-old was also slated to be the Hilltoppers starting wide receiver this season. But a Saturday fishing accident near London took the life of McMiller. According to McMillers friends and family members, teammate and first cousin Nate Jenkins and McMiller were on a capsized canoe at the JM Feltner 4-H Camp, three miles south of London. Jenkins was able to swim to the dock, but McMiller never resurfaced after the accident that occurred just before 6 p.m. EDT, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officer Jason Campbell. Its believed to be accidental, Campbell said. Theres no signs of alcohol or any foul play. Western coach David Elson heard the news late Saturday evening while returning from a trip to Atlanta. When Elson arrived on campus, he met with several players in the lobby of Douglas Keen Hall dormitory. The Hilltoppers then scheduled a private memorial service at the Downing University Center Theatre on Sunday night. The one-hour vigil included words from Elson, WKU players and church pastors from around the community. Nothing prepares you for something like this, Elson said. He was a kid that was kind of quiet, but had a certain presence about him. Elson said the last time he was with McMiller was during a one-on-one meeting following spring practice. McMiller caught only four passes for 60 yards during his freshman season last year, but Elson had high hopes for him in the upcoming years. I told he was really going to be a great wide receiver, Elson said. He really had a great career ahead of him. While McMiller had the potential to be a star with the Hilltoppers, his father, Theodis McMiller, will remember the type of person his son was. According to the elder McMiller, the two spent plenty of time together and made several fishing trips. McMiller had the opportunity to see his son play twice while with the Hilltoppers. After every conversation we had when he was at (Western Kentucky) he always told me he loved me and that meant so much to me, a choked-up Theodis McMiller said. He was just such a great boy. He and I had a relationship that no other father and son had, because from birth I knew he was special. Not only was Theodis McMiller the father of Trey, but he was also a coach. Theodis McMiller spent six years coaching his son in Pop Warner football. He was my quarterback, my running back, my everything, McMiller said. He would also design plays for the team, and you know what? Most of the time they worked. Former Apopka coach Rick Darlington saw McMillers ability during their state championship game two years ago. According to Darlington, who is now the high school coach at Valdosta (Ga.) High School, McMiller outran the fastest defensive back in the state of Florida who signed with the University of Miami. They said that kid ran a 4.1 in the 40. Well if thats so, then Trey ran a 4.0 because he beat him step for step, Darlington said. I was just so shocked to hear about the news. He was a great kid who never hollered or said too much. He would always work with younger kids and try to make them better people. Theodis McMiller is also having a hard time comprehending Saturdays accident. I still dont understand what happened out there. But Im trying to get closure on it now, McMiller said. I talked to Nate and hes taking it tough because he was there. But I made sure to tell him it was an accident. Just a tragic accident. Nate told me the boat just capsized when making a right-hand turn. Funeral arrangements are still pending, but according to McMiller, his sons body is expected to be returned home sometime today and a funeral for Saturday is tentatively scheduled. Elson said hell be in attendance and expects several other WKU coaches and players to be there. You have to rely on your strength and try to stay together as a team, Elson said. You have to make sure everyone supports each other through something like this.