Campus Connection

Miyamoto retires after 37-year career in education

A coach and college administrator who got his start at UW-La Crosse is retiring after a long and remarkable career in higher education.

Mick Miyamoto, ’79, retired June 30 from his position as special projects coordinator for Student Affairs at UW-Madison. Miyamoto spent a quarter century at UWL — first as a student-athlete studying art education and playing under legendary football Coach Roger Harring, and then as an assistant dean of students from 1990 to 2010.

Ending his career in the UW System, he says, was particularly meaningful.

“I wish everyone could end their career this way,” says Miyamoto, who earned his PhD from UW–Madison in 1993. “It’s been the cherry on the top.”

Colleagues and former students say Miyamoto’s legacy can be seen in the hundreds of young lives he’s impacted. In addition to his time at UWL, Miyamoto worked as a teacher in the School District of La Crosse and as an administrator at UW-River Falls and the University of Dubuque.

“Mick truly has made a positive difference in my life each and every time I’ve had the honor of interacting with him,” says Ryan Jesberger, who attended UWL from 2004 to 2008, toward the end of Miyamoto’s tenure.

Jesberger, now a lieutenant with the UW–Madison Police Department, says Miyamoto assisted him with countless advising questions, served as a member of his thesis committee, constantly challenged him to take his research to the next level, and provided a consistent, calming presence.

“Today, 14 years after my UW–La Crosse experience and in my current role at UWPD, I have had the honor of calling Mick a colleague as he continues to shape and mentor the current and future generations of Student Affairs leaders,” Jesberger says.

Miyamoto was equally impactful during his 28 years as a football coach, mostly in Division III.

He became known for his compassionate, people-first style of coaching — something he learned from Harring — and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016.

“The lessons I learned from Roger and his staff that I tried to incorporate into my craft had nothing to do with X’s and O’s and everything to do with building relationships,” Miyamoto says. “I would often tell people, ‘I’m not coaching football, but rather young men through football.’ That, I learned in a profound way from Roger.”

Mindfulness became an important part of Miyamoto’s life on and off the football field. At UW-Madison, he led a Monday morning Mindfulness Practice Group for Student Affairs staff.

“Mick is always connecting people from different parts of campus who may have distinct areas of expertise but shared goals — all in the interest of supporting the mental health and well-being of students and staff,” says Susan Huber, director of well-being at UW-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds. “He truly cares about people and wants to make a positive difference in their lives — whether that’s by lending an ear, providing guidance, or sharing his favorite well-being resources.”

Miyamoto says one of the things he’s proudest of in his career is helping people understand that the greatest gift you can give to someone is to be present.

“That solves a lot of issues,” he says. “If students and staff feel they’ve been genuinely heard, that goes a long way.”

In the months and years ahead, Miyamoto plans to volunteer for several organizations, throw a lot of pottery — he’s a member of the Midwest Clay Project & Studios — and spend time with his wife, Kathy, and their three children and two grandchildren.

“Someone asked me the other day what I’m going to do in retirement,” he says. “I think it will be the same as what I’ve always done — try to be kind, compassionate and present for people.”