By Staff
BENTON TOWNSHIP – Lake Michigan College will induct two associate members, Lloyd Miller and Rich Plangger, into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Jan. 31. The ceremony will take place at approximately 7 p.m. in the gymnasium during the intermission between the women's and men's basketball games against Ancilla Community College.
An LMC Foundation Board member, Lloyd Miller of Buchanan has been a dedicated volunteer to the athletic department for more than 30 years. Involved with well over 1,000 LMC athletic events, he is a major contributor to the Colleges advancement program and has mentored many LMC student-athletes.
The spouse of the LMCs former athletic director, Liz Miller, he has assisted the Colleges athletic teams in various ways over the past three decades, including serving as first base coach, team bus driver, official scorekeeper, media liaison, grounds staff, fundraiser, contributor and tutor. Miller also founded the Colleges Spouses of Coaches (S.O.C.) support group.
After earning a Bachelors of Business degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University, Miller spent 33 years working as a certified public accountant for Crowe Chizek and was a partner there for 23 years. The Millers are retired and currently reside in Buchanan. They have a son, a daughter, and three grandchildren.
Lloyd's greatest value to Lake Michigan College and the community goes far beyond the tangible aspects of his volunteer activities and professional business career, said LMC Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach Doug Schaffer. Most importantly, he is an outstanding person whose number one motivation is to serve others with kindness and generosity.
For over 50 years, Rich Plangger of St. Joseph has been a prominent local figure through his family-owned business, Planggers Furniture, his family-owned softball complex, Planggers Park, and his generous support of local mens and womens fast-pitch softball organizations.
He was instrumental in LMC earning the bid to host the NJCAA National Fast-Pitch Softball Tournaments in 1985 and 1986. Not only did he chair the national tournament committee, but he hosted the tournaments at Planggers Park in Benton Harbor. Planggers Park was also LMCs primary softball facility for several years.
The Lake Michigan College softball program has benefited greatly from Rich's generous support, explained Schaffer. Not only did Rich offer use of his facility at no charge, but he also did not charge for equipment, maintenance or electricity.
Like Miller, Plangger has also tirelessly volunteered his time and energy for LMC athletics. His roles have included preparing the field for games, keeping official score, serving as public address announcer and umpiring games.
A pioneer in the growth and development of sports opportunities for women, Plangger developed a womens fast-pitch softball summer program nearly 20 years ago which has produced many LMC softball student-athletes.
Plangger has been a long-time resident of St. Joseph and continues to work with his son, Rick, at Planggers Furniture. Rich and his late wife, Ruth, have two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.
The LMC Athletic Hall of Fame was established to publicly recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Colleges intercollegiate athletic program as an athlete, coach or associate.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, former athletes must have competed for a minimum of one season on an LMC-sponsored intercollegiate athletic team. Athletes are eligible for selection 10 years after they have completed their participation. Former coaches at LMC are qualified if they completed a minimum of three seasons while current coaches are eligible after a minimum of five seasons. To qualify as an associate inductee, a nominee must be an individual who has been associated with and/or made significant contributions to the LMC athletic program.
For more information about nominating individuals for future induction consideration, contact Schaffer at (269) 927-8165 or schaffer@lakemichigancollege.edu .