Former Student-Athlete Spotlights (July 2025)
Would you like to be featured in the next 'Block S' Club Alumni Spotlight? We'd love to share your story! Fill out the interest form HERE and we'll be in touch! We plan to highlight one men's student-athlete and one female student-athlete each quarter.
Oliver "Ollie" Haney '11
FootballIf you've played at Syracuse during the last two decades, then you have run into Ollie at least once. Ollie has spent 14 years advocating for student-athletes. He’s the true definition of Forever Orange. Motivated by his desire to make a positive and meaningful impact on others, Ollie has been many athletes’ go-to person for letters of recommendation, advice, or simply being a listening ear.
Now he’s excited to transition into a new role and industry as the Director of Sales at American Fashion Network (AFN), with a focus on athletics. He’ll be promoting American-made athletic apparel to college and professional sports teams.
Although Ollie is switching to a completely different career path, his drive remains the same. Ollie is driven by creating a supportive environment where people feel heard and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Community is very important to him which is why he’s stayed in Syracuse for so long despite being from New Jersey. The opportunity to pursue his master’s degree with a graduate assistantship which led to a full-time job kept him in Syracuse initially, but it was truly the people that made him stay. “Syracuse has a welcoming community, and the more I got to know the people both at the university and in the city, the more I realized it was a special place.”
Career changes can often be intimidating but Ollie is anything but that. He believes it is important to continually push ourselves out of our comfort zones to grow and learn, and he’s confident in his leadership team and in himself that he will make a meaningful contribution. Ollie is excited to reconnect and network with former teammates and colleagues through his new role at AFN.
Similarly, the launch of the Block S Club excites him because “Syracuse holds a special place in our hearts, and reconnecting with former teammates and classmates is something many of us cherish.” It offers another opportunity to relive those Syracuse memories that so many of us cherish. Ollie’s favorite memories include being a part of the women’s basketball Final Four run, the men’s soccer national championship victory, and helping the football team reach the Pinstripe Bowl in 2010.
Although Ollie’s time at SU has come to an end, he is never too far away – literally, he’s still in Syracuse. He is always open to offer practical help, mentor and guide individuals through the transition to independence just like he did while working with his student-athletes.
Melissa "Emme" Miller '85
Women's RowingEmme is known for three decades as the iconic social reformer, award-winning American supermodel, and body advocate. A trusted voice in the beauty, wellness, fashion, and news industries, she is a TV Host, writer/producer, radio/podcast personality, columnist, spokesperson, keynote speaker, author of five books, and creative director of her clothing lines. Emme is also the founder of the True Beauty Foundation, dedicated to improving youth mental health and wellness. A passionate lover of nature, reflected in her active lifestyle, Emme facilitates 5 Oceanic Breaths to Calm, a practice that uses sound frequencies to help reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep within her community, client base, and student groups.
A 1985 Syracuse Grad, Emme was a significant member of the Syracuse Rowing Team where her noteworthy contribution to the sport led to her induction into the Orange Plus Hall of Fame, S.A.R.A Hall of Fame, and led to her receiving the Letterwinner of Distinction award.
Emme holds an honorary doctorate, awarded in 2021, recognizing her contributions to social reform, body positivity, and advocacy. Her objective is to inspire and empower audiences by illuminating the mind-body-spirit connection, helping individuals unlock their true essence, purpose, and wellness journey.
Emme’s goal has always been clear, whether she is in the halls of Congress, on CNN, or gracing covers of magazines:
”To embrace our magnificence and live our most inspired lives."
Emme has been nominated twice for People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, a single mother, cancer survivor, and forever athlete, Emme is recognized worldwide as the OG body image influencer, promoting positive self-esteem and body appreciation. She made history as the first celebrity advocate to testify before a Congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness of eating and body image disorders. She is a collaborating ambassador with the US Surgeon General’s Office and is a USA Today Storyteller.
🔗 emmestyle.com
📸 IG: @theofficialemme
💙 truebeautyfoundation.org
