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Madison Township dedicates Miller Field
(by Linda Dillman, staff writer - May 18, 2009)
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| Messenger photo by Linda Dillman |
| Debbie Miller looks wistfully upon a plaque dedicated in her honor and in memory of her late husband, Robert, who passed away on March 3. Miller Field is located in Brobst Park and recognizes the couple's support of Groveport and Madison Township area youth athletics for more than 30 years. |
Bright blue skies hung above an expanse of emerald green in Brobst Park, but the air was punctuated with melancholy as Madison Township residents gathered to remember Robert Miller and honor his wife, Deborah, by dedicating an athletic field in their name.
The dedication of Miller Field at Brobst Park in Madison Township, was held May 17. The Millers spent more than 30 years supporting Groveport and Madison Township youth athletics before Robert passed away March 3. His wife now carries on the couple's decades long work and attended the ceremony, which included remarks from trustees, and Ty Wiggins, president of Groveport Madison Youth Athletic Association.
"This is pretty amazing," said Debbie. "We just wanted to start a league for kids. Bob couldn't stand the idea of kids not having a place to play when the MDAA (Madison District Athletic Association) league folded after 17 years. Bob didn't miss a beat. He called an attorney to file as a non-profit and we started the Groveport Madison Youth Athletic Association that same fall with football and cheerleading. That was 13 years ago and now we have between 250 to 275 kids, ages 5-14, in the league out here playing football and cheering."
Activities also include a yearly trip to Daytona over Thanksgiving weekend for a trio of competition football teams and one competitive cheer team.
"We used to play at the freshman school (in Groveport)," said Debbie, "and Bob didn't know where we were going to play after that. He came over here to the park, saw the field, and pounced on the trustees to get their permission to play here."
Madison Township Trustee Dennis White called Robert a great friend and note it was coincidental that the park and the field were named after two "Bobs" who made a difference in the community. Brobst Park is named in memory of Robert Brobst, a longtime trustee who passed away 21 years ago.
"Today we dedicate the field in the name of the Millers," said White tearfully. "I've seen it (the league) change so many kids' lives. My own son played in a league here and I saw so much growth in him. It changed so many youths' lives and they're in much better places here today because of Debbie and Bob. Bob's dreams of working with the youth of the community will live forever."
Former trustee and township administrator David Brobst gave a brief history of the park and said a board of trustees purchased the original tract in 1978. In its early years, the land was used as a BMX track and as a site for community gardens. Immediately after the death of his father on March 29, 1988, the board named the area Brobst Park.
In 1990, the township started improving the park by installing the first shelter house, followed by additional parking, a second shelter house, and a baseball diamond.
"In 2006, the trustees had the vision to buy the property where the football field is located now," said Brobst, in speaking on behalf of the Brobst family. "In 2008, a concession stand and restrooms were built on this side. It's been a 31 year journey and we're very proud it continues to recognize the commitments to the community like the Millers. We're very proud Miller Field will be here in the park."
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