For IUS basketball player Brianne Miles, business junior, it was the love and devotion of a father figure and a mother’s persistency to raise a productive child that drove her to be who she is today — a girl with a strong work ethic who doesn’t take things for granted.

“My heroes growing up were always my parents,” Miles said. “They may not have had the same opportunities as me, but they always made sure they did their best with the hand dealt to them.”

Known to her friends as “Bri,” 21-year-old Miles had lived her whole life in Louisville until attending IU Southeast, where she is presently majoring in  human resource management.

Before coming to IU Southeast, Miles attended and played basketball for Spalding University in Louisville.

Due to the expense, along with newly constructed lodges at IU Southeast, she decided to transfer where she could get away from home, just not too far.

Miles had to sit out from basketball for a semester when she first enrolled because some of her credits didn’t transfer over — but she was dedicated, still practicing with the team and attending the games.

“It was tough because I wasn’t used to sitting there watching people play,” she said. “I was use to being out there with them.”

Miles’ selfless dedication and strict work ethic can be credited to her parents.

The values they instilled in her growing up can be seen in her actions every day.

“We taught her to earn the things she wants,” Miles’ mother, Terry Miles, said.  “We pushed Brianne to stand up for herself and to have confidence to do what others told her that she couldn’t do.”

Teammate and friend Alden Krausse, general studies senior, said Miles’ work ethic makes her an awesome person.

“Bri is so much fun to be around,” Krausse said, “but when it comes time to work, she is no-nonsense. She really works hard.”

Because every child isn’t able to grow up in a two-parent household, Miles said she feels extremely blessed to not only have her mother but also a stepfather who has been in her life since she was very young.

Even though she doesn’t have any contact with her biological father, she doesn’t have any ill will toward him.

She said she is proud to say that her stepfather Kurt is her dad because he took over where her biological father left off.

“For him to take care of another man’s child, it’s a blessing in itself,” Miles said.  “He took responsibility, and he didn’t have to.  I was raised by a man who inspires me.”

Miles’ inspiration began when she was around 6 years old.

She said she remembers begging her stepfather to take her to the gym to watch him play basketball.

Even though basketball was his time with his friends, he brought her along.

She said she remembers watching him score on everyone with his jump shot and eventually teaching it to her.

“I got stronger in my game,” Miles said. “My dad told me that if I could shoot with a man’s ball, then I could shoot with any ball and come out on top.”

When she was in the sixth grade, her mom put her on the middle school basketball team.

“She told me she didn’t want me to be a lazy child,” Miles said of her mother. “I had to go out for some kind of extracurricular activities at school, so I choose ball.”

Miles said even though she is a fan of the WNBA, she has no aspirations to go to the next level.

Instead, after graduating, she said she hopes to start a career working in human resources, work her way up and maybe one day start her own firm that can help others find jobs.

For now, Miles can be seen around campus where she said she is enjoying her life or just hanging out with her friends.

“I know if I don’t see you smiling,” Miles said. “I’m going to say hi to ya – brighten up your day just a bit.”

By STEVE NICHOLS

Staff

stevnich@ius.edu