Max Miller's retirement became official late last week in a manner befitting the man.

He quietly left the building.

Usually the first to arrive and last to leave for any event, the Quincy High School athletic director spent the last 33 years serving the school district in a variety of capacities. No matter the job -- teacher, coach or administrator -- he saw it through.

Right through to his final day.

Miller's retirement was no secret, and the school board had moved forward by hiring his replacement back in April. Together, Miller and his successor Bill Sanders had started the transition period, a sign of the good times QHS has had and the good ones to come.

A major point of emphasis for Miller was to finish every project he had started. Schedules are complete for the 2008-09 season and beyond. Officials have been hired. Contracts are complete.

He's left the athletic department in good standing.

And in good hands.

That was going to be the case no matter what, as long as Debbie McNeil was still the athletic secretary. Miller will be the first to tell you she runs the show, and she made his job much more manageable.

He made it memorable.

In four years as AD, Miller was instrumental in facility improvements, including refurbishing the court at Blue Devil Gym, revamping the interior of the QHS gym and upgrading Flinn Stadium.

He oversaw the 100-year anniversary celebration of the boys basketball program and helped bring the QHS and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams together for the first time in 36 years.

Those are tangible things fans could see. What they didn't see were the relationships he built with ADs in the Chicago area as he attempted to upgrade Quincy's schedules and the unending support he gave to his coaches.

Miller, like the coaches, took criticism from fans and the media alike. Yet, his demeanor in those situations -- calm, cool and collected -- set an example for his staff. He never let the critics get the better of him.

He never let them get the better of his staff, either.

That's how those who worked the closest with Miller will remember him. He was a coach's AD, trusting his personnel to do the right thing. He never questioned their judgment on playing time or practice routine.

He understood his duties and let the coaches do theirs.

It's a blueprint for success Sanders will be glad to have.

Meanwhile, Miller gets to enjoy something rare when you're the QHS athletic director -- freedom. His options seem endless. He might end up coaching or teaching again or reinvesting time in some of his other passions.

Regardless, you won't hear much about it. Just know this, he may have quietly gone about his business, but Miller's impact rings loud and clear.

-- mschuckman@whig.com/221-3366