Brett Miller of Hackensack, MN died today in Park City, Utah, after a long battle with melanoma. Brett was 26 years old. Brett moved to Park City in 1999. He loved the mountains and was a master of numerous mountain sports - Alpine skiing, back country skiing, motocross and mountain biking, in addition to biathlon and cross country skiing.

Before moving to Park City, Brett was a top junior cross country ski racer and biathlete. Brett joined Team Birke in 1992, and under the coaching of Steve Gaskill, he progressed quickly. For his senior year in high school, Brett attended the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid where he focused on his biathlon training. He made his first World Junior Biathlon Team in 1994, and made subsequent teams in 1995, 1996, and 1997. He was a member of the 1997 US. Junior team that placed 5th at the World Junior Championships Relay. Brett competed at the World University Games in 1997 and 1999, placing 4th in the relay in the '99 Games in Slovakia. Brett was know by his coaches and teammates as the "go to guy" when it came to relays. He always put together fantastic performances when his teammates were depending on him. During the 1999 World University Games relay, Brett skiied the anchor leg, and moved the U.S. team up from 7th place at the exchange to 4th at the finish.

Brett will be missed by his friends in Utah, in Minnesota, and many others places where there are mountains and snow. Everyone who knew Brett knew that he had a style all his own: he was unique, independent, and uninfluenced by the trends or style of the day. Brett's independent streak did not prevent him from making strong friendships. To the contrary, Brett was a very social person, and enjoyed spending time with his friends on the mountain, at work, or out on the town. He cared deeply for those close to him. Brett was a fighter- even after the toll of several rounds of chemotherapy, he was confident that he would win his battle with cancer. When it became clear in the last days that he would not win this battle, it was Brett who comforted those close to him.

There will be a memorial service in Park City on Friday, November 21st. Please contact Dave Gieck, at 307/690-9262. There will also be a memorial service in Hackensack on Friday, Nov 28th. Please check www.minnesotabiathlon.com for details on the Hackensack memorial service. For those that would like to send cards, the Miller's address is:
Sharon and Gary Miller
HC 74 Box 855
Hackensack, MN 56452

Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone: 218/682-2785

Brett's parents, Sharon and Gary, still live in Hackensack and have been constant supporters of MN Biathlon and the U.S. Biathlon Association. Brett's parents are still known well in the biathlon and cross country worlds as the family behind Core Sport- manufacturer of "Base Savers", "Iron Cozies", rifle covers, and shooting cuffs.

Our sympathies go out to the Millers. We will miss you Brett.