Des Moines Register names new sports columnist

Bryce Miller

Written by Des Moines Register   

  Bryce Miller will be the Des Moines Register’s new sports columnist.

Miller, 44, is a lifelong Iowan who has served as sports editor for the last seven and a half years.

Since 1914, when Sec Taylor became sports editor, The Register has had only four lead sports columnists. Miller will be the fifth.

“It’s an incredible honor — and opportunity,” Miller said. “I know how much the Register means to readers, and I know the responsibility of being the sports columnist for the Register and those readers is immense.

“Growing up in Iowa, and living and working here, makes me keenly and completely aware of how important college and high school sports are to people in the state. I’m ready to jump in with both feet — and a couple of keyboards.”

Miller grew up in Redfield, west of Des Moines, and graduated from the University of Iowa. Following a couple of years as a news assistant for The Des Moines Register, primarily covering high schools, he became a sports reporter and editor at the Iowa City Press-Citizen for seven years. He returned to the Register in 1999.

Under his direction as sports editor, the Register’s sports staff was presented with two “Triple Crown” awards by the Associated Press Sports Editors group — the most prestigious national honor for a sports department. That award recognizes excellence in daily and Sunday sports coverage, as well as in special sections. The Register’s digital sports coverage has earned honorable mention in national contests.

While at the Register, Miller has covered Olympics in Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino and Beijing for the newspaper and USA Today group.

He will be at his fifth Olympics later this month in London.

Miller’s first column will appear Aug.26 in The Des Moines Sunday Register and DesMoinesRegister.com.

“I couldn’t be happier that Bryce has accepted this new opportunity and will continue the Register’s long tradition of stellar sports columnists,” said Register executive editor Rick Green. “He’s a native Iowan with deep knowledge of the state’s athletic programs, coaches, athletes, parents, fans and readers of The Register.

“He has guided the Register’s sports staff for seven years as its editor. Now, he will bring a fresh approach and strong storytelling — in print and in the digital space — to the issues sports fans throughout Iowa are talking about. Our readers deserve a great sports columnist, and I’m confident that’s what they will be getting in Bryce Miller.”

Miller replaces Marc Hansen, who retired in April.

The Register’s other lead sports columnists over the years: Taylor, who for decades wrote a column titled “Sittin’ In with the Athletes,” Maury White and Sean Keeler.