Sydney H. “Sid” Miles
Wellsville Daily Reporter, Nov. 12, 1975, “Legendary Coach, ‘Sid’ Miles Dead”
Transcribed by S. Stout.
Wellsville – Sydney H. (Sid) Miles a prominent figure in Upstate interscholastic athletics for nearly half a century, died Tuesday at Jones Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was 72 years old. A native of Scotland, Miles attended Ithaca College where he received his degree in physical education. A few days after graduation, a friend told him there was a job open at Wellsville where they needed a coach and physical education instructor. This was in 1926.
“To be honest, I wasn’t too impressed,” Sid once recalled,” but jobs were scarce and I figured I could stand it until I could find something else. Of course, you know I fell in love with Wellsville.” Sid originally was “the coach”. He handled all physical education classes. He coached all teams – football, basketball, track and also girls’ basketball. “That’s the way it was in those days,” he would say. “no one ever heard of an assistant coach believe me you were it.”
He also became active as an official in basketball, football and soccer. He continued his activities following his retirement from the Wellsville faculty several years ago. For many years, he made an annual visit to his native Scotland during the summer vacation.
His wife, the former Evellyn Gardner, died in April of this year. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Watts of Brockport.
Friends may call at the Embser Funeral home on Thursday from 7-9 p.m.