At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Blair Academy will say goodbye to three longtime coaches, history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, math and theatre teacher Wayne Rasmussen and Dean of College Counseling Lewis Stival. With a combined 90 years of coaching experience, these faculty members leave a footprint of what it means to be a Blair coach and a legacy for the community to admire as they move on to the next chapters of their lives. 

“Words can’t express my gratitude to these three coaches,” said Paul Clavel ’88, director of athletics. “They have made a profound impact on the lives of so many student-athletes, as well as represented the Blair athletic program with great sportsmanship and excellence. These men have been excellent role models for me and other coaches in our program. I thank them for their many years of service to Blair athletics.”  

Dr. Miller, who is retiring after 40 years at Blair, has been the varsity boys’ cross country coach for the past 40 consecutive seasons. During his tenure, he won seven Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) championships and five state titles. He was also an assistant running coach for the track-and-field team for 34 years, coaching multiple distance-runner state champions.

Mr. Stival coached the varsity boys’ tennis team for 27 years and the girls’ varsity team for four. In 2010 and 2011, the team won back-to-back MAPL championships and 29 straight matches, including a state championship in 2011. He has been a great mentor to many tennis players who have had successful college careers. Mr. Stival will continue his career as director of college counseling at Ransom Everglades School in Miami.

Blair’s senior master, Mr. Rasmussen, is retiring in June, having coached multiple sports throughout his 43-year teaching career, including 15 years of football, three years of JV baseball and two years of 3rds boys’ basketball. In addition to being the leader of the theatre tech crew, Mr. Rasmussen has also been a huge support for the Blair football program as the videographer for the varsity team.

The entire Blair community wishes these three coaches well in their future endeavors.