It’s More Than Just A Game For Ben Miller

SEATTLE- O’Dea Fighting Irish Sophomore Ben Miller is a standout as an underclassman for the lacrosse team, but for Miller, it’s more than just a game. Miller as a sophomore is experiencing high levels of competition already which can be a lot of pressure and a lot of unknowns for a sophomore. The 2022-2023 lacrosse team is one that seems destined for a chance at another state championship and it can be hard for an underclassmen to find their role on a team that is so loaded with talent. I asked Miller what his role on the team is as a sophomore with so many upperclassmen on the team,

Miller said, “My role is to be the enforcer, I’m there to shut down the other team. If I can prevent them from scoring we’re going to win it’s that simple.”

Miller clearly has established a dominant mentality from the game that’s much needed for lacrosse, when that attackman is coming at him full speed with determination to score, Miller has to be able to match that aggressiveness and determination and it starts with his mentality to do so. With an Irish lacrosse team that has so much talent and potential, the expectation is that Miller must maintain that mentality to be a contributor to the team. Sports can teach so many lessons like how to deal with failure or adversity, I asked Miller what lessons he’s learned from lacrosse,

Miller said, “The greatest lesson I've learned is that life is a balance of individual and team efforts. You need both discipline and the ability to hold yourself accountable as best as you can, but you also have to be a contributor to the team as a whole. It takes both to win.”

Miller is someone who clearly wants to win, he wants to perform as best as he can to give his team the best chance to win. For Miller, he’s someone who wants to be able to maintain this mindset throughout the rest of his career at O’Dea and throughout the rest of his life, discipline especially goes a long way. I asked Miller if he could pick one thing that he enjoys about lacrosse as his favorite what it would be,

Miller said, “I like the speed of the game and the physicality of it., I love the adrenaline.”

Miller has clearly had some great experiences and probably some rough ones as well throughout his career in lacrosse. These experiences will definitely have a big benefit on his life not just now but also in his future beyond O’Dea.