Larry H. Miller
Miller speaking at the University of Utah in April 2006
Born	(1944-04-26)April 26, 1944 Salt Lake City, Utah
Died	February 20, 2009(2009-02-20) (aged 64) Salt Lake City, Utah
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772°N 111.858°W / 40.7772; -111.858
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Net worth	$480 million (estimate)[1]
Spouse	Gail Miller
Website
The Larry Miller Group

Lawrence Horne "Larry H." Miller (April 26, 1944 – February 20, 2009) was a Utah businessman and philanthropist who was well known as the owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz and the of Triple-A baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees, 41 automotive dealerships throughout the Western United States,^[2] and a variety of other business ventures including Prestige Financial, Jordan Commons, Megaplex Theatres, KJZZ-TV, Miller Motorsports Park, the FANZZ chain of sports apparel stores, the advertising agency Saxton Horne - named after Miller's wife's maiden name and his middle-name, and the EnergySolutions Arena (formerly the "Delta Center"), all of which are still owned by the family's Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

Biography[link]

Miller was born as Lawrence Horne West to Mary Lorille Horne and Howard Hanley West. His parents divorced in 1946, and in June 1948 his mother married Frank Soren Miller. Larry was legally adopted by his stepfather in September 1949, and his last name was changed to Miller.

Following his graduation from West High School, Miller was employed in construction by his uncle William Reid Horne until 1964, when he went to work for American Auto Parts. Softball and drag racing, two of his interests, helped launch his careers in sports and automobiles. From 1963 to 1970, Miller raced cars, and from 1962 to 1985 he was an outstanding fast-pitch softball player, pitching in the Salt Lake City Metro League and the Denver Metro League.

In 1966, he became a parts manager and later manager of the parts and service departments for a Utah auto dealer. In 1970, he moved to Denver to play softball and work as a parts manager for two Denver Toyota dealerships. In 1978, he was promoted to operations manager over five Toyota stores.

Larry H. Miller was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose for-profit arm manages the company's TV station today.

Miller married his high school sweetheart, Karen Gail Saxton, on March 25, 1965. Their marriage produced five children: Gregory Scott, Roger Lawrence, Karen Rebecca, Stephen Frank and Bryan Joseph. He was the grandfather of twenty-six grandchildren.

Business accomplishments[link]

Miller formed a business partnership with Horne to purchase a Toyota dealership in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray, Utah. It opened on May 1, 1979 as Larry H. Miller Toyota. In October 1981, Miller bought out his uncle's share in the business. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he acquired a number of automobile dealerships in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, creating the Larry H. Miller Automotive Group. In 2007, Selling Power listed him as the tenth largest U.S. automotive dealer, with forty-two dealerships and sales of $2,327,000,000.

After a failed attempt to start a television outlet on the last remaining VHF frequency in the Utah market, Miller purchased Salt Lake City independent station KXIV in February 1993. He later changed the call letters to KJZZ-TV as a reference to the Jazz.

Miller also owned the Larry H. Miller Megaplex, Prestige Financial, Miller Motorsports Park (opened in 2006), Fanzz (a chain of sports clothing & memorabilia outlets), and the successful Jordan Commons cinema/restaurant complexes along the Wasatch Front. There are five Megaplex Theaters located in shopping centers along the Wasatch Front; the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, at the aforementioned Jordan Commons in Sandy, at The District in South Jordan, at The Junction in Ogden, and at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Together the theaters total 70 screens. In late 2010 another theatre location in Centerville, Utah was announced. In 2010 the Megaplex at Thanksgiving Point started showing large format movies on the Mammoth Screen.

Sports involvement[link]

Miller became a co-owner of the Utah Jazz when he purchased a 50% interest in the team on April 11, 1985 for $9.5 million. On June 16, 1986, he purchased the remaining 50% from Sam Battistone for $17.3 million.

Miller built the EnergySolutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center) in downtown Salt Lake City to house the Jazz NBA team.

Miller was an unpaid consultant in the project to construct Spring Mobile Ballpark, now the home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's AAA affiliate Salt Lake Bees. He purchased the team in 2005, changing the name from the Salt Lake Stingers to the Bees.

He also owned the Salt Lake Golden Eagles ice hockey team, which he purchased in September 1989.

Miller was also the owner of the Utah Starzz WNBA team (Starzz referencing a former successful ABA team, the Utah Stars and the double-z in Jazz). Miller sold the team in 2002 to San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt who moved the team to San Antonio and renamed them the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Miller also owned a racetrack in Utah, Miller Motorsports Park and a road racing course.

The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah presented by Zions Bank is an annual professional road bicycle racing stage race.

Declining health and death[link]

Miller had been in declining health for several years. In June 2008, Miller suffered a severe heart attack, and was hospitalized for 59 days with complications that included kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, which required a blood transfusion. In October, he developed a bone infection and diabetic ulcers on one foot that required outpatient surgery. On January 23, 2009, Miller underwent surgery to amputate both legs six inches below the knee, a result of complications from type 2 diabetes.^[3]

On February 20, 2009, surrounded by family at his home, Miller died of complications from type II diabetes.^{[4] [5]} On the day of his death, at a news conference attended by his family and physician, it was revealed that his diabetes was compounded by a rare and incurable disease known as calciphylaxis, which he was diagnosed with just one week prior to his death.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman issued the following statement on February 20, 2009 regarding the passing of Larry H. Miller:

"Every citizen in our state feels a little empty today. Larry was Utah and Utah was Larry. He inspired many and served countless. We all have been made better by his extraordinary life. Mary Kaye and I wish to express our deepest love and sympathies to his wonderful wife, Gail, and their entire family and wish them a sense of deep condolences at this difficult time."

Jon Huntsman had appointed Miller to chair the Governor's Commission on Strengthening Utah's Democracy in January; a replacement is to be named at a later time.

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a statement on the passing of Mr. Miller: “It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family. Larry's legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region through his business ventures and charitable endeavors. The NBA lost a great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him.”

On February 21, 2009, the Utah Jazz played in Miller's name against the New Orleans Hornets, honoring him with a special ceremony and giving their condolences, and the game ball, to his wife, winning the game 102–88. They also wore a pin depicting the Jazz' first Utah logo for the remainder of the season.

Public service[link]

Miller contributed to a variety of causes and organizations, including a $21 million dollar training center for law enforcement and corrections officers,^[6] as well as a significant investment towards a campus for Salt Lake Community College, which are both named in his honor.

In November 1995, he formed Larry H. Miller Charities, whose mission statement is, "We give back to our communities by focusing our united service and corporate giving on youth and children with an emphasis on health and education." Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than $1 million, distributing those funds to charitable organizations in the communities where the Larry H. Miller Group does business.

His public service was recognized by numerous awards, including the Utah Minuteman Award from the Utah National Guard in 1990, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Utah in 1991, and the Tourist Achievement Award from the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1992.

Controversies[link]

Brokeback Mountain[link]

On January 6, 2006, the film Brokeback Mountain was pulled from Miller's Megaplex 17 theater at the last minute after Miller learned from a radio reporter that the film featured a gay romance. Other R-rated films, such as the comedy Grandma's Boy and the violent horror film Hostel were still allowed to be shown. As a result, the businessman was accused of exhibiting bias against homosexuality.

The cancellation brought international attention to the theater. The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah and other gay rights groups urged its members to avoid patronizing Miller's various businesses. Jay Leno joked about the incident on The Tonight Show.

Miller later explained the cancellation, saying that he was concerned about "getting away from the traditional families", what he called "a very dangerous thing." Miller noted that several individuals purchased automobiles from his dealerships as a form of support for the decision. He also expressed regret for any feelings that were hurt as a result.^[7]

John Amaechi, a retired center who finished his career with Miller's Utah Jazz in 2003, publicly announced his homosexuality on February 7, 2007. Miller issued a statement the following day, conceding that he had made a bad decision in pulling Brokeback Mountain. He described it as a "knee-jerk reaction" and said that he would probably allow the film to be shown if faced with the same decision again; however he said he was still unsure how he would react to an openly gay player on his basketball team.^[8]

Places, buildings, and events named after Miller[link]

• Larry H Miller Campus for Salt Lake Community College
• Larry H. Miller Field
• Larry & Gail Miller Public Safety Education and Training Center — Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
• Miller Automotive Training Center — Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
• Miller Corporate Partnership Center — Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
• Miller Free Enterprise Center — Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
• Miller Professional Development Center — Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
• Miller Motorsports Park
• Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah  — bicycle race
• Larry H. Miller Softball Complex

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Larry H. Miller Group
• UtahStories.com Larry H. Miller Legacy
• Larry H. Miller
• Luhm, Steve. "Larry H. Miller, Jazz owner and auto magnate, dies 64," The Salt Lake Tribune, Saturday, February 21, 2009.
• Obituary in the Deseret News
• Phoenix Volkswagen

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2007)

Jacque Vaughn

Point guard
Personal information
Born	(1975-02-11) February 11, 1975 (age 37) Los Angeles, California
Nationality	American
High school	John Muir, (Pasadena, California)
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College	Kansas (1993–1997)
NBA Draft	1997 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27th overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Pro career	1997–2009
Career history
1997–2001	Utah Jazz
2001–2002	Atlanta Hawks
2002–2003	Orlando Magic
2003–2004	Atlanta Hawks
2004–2006	New Jersey Nets
2006–2009	San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights and awards
NBA Champion (2007) Big Eight Conference Player of the Year (1996) 2× Consensus NCAA All-American Second Team (1996–1997)
Career NBA statistics
Points	3,463 (4.5 ppg)
Rebounds	1,028 (1.3 rpg)
Assists	1,919 (2.5 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Jacque Vaughn (born February 11, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. He last played for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA and is currently serving as an assistant coach for the team.^[1]

High school career[link]

A native of Altadena, California, Vaughn attended John Muir High School in nearby Pasadena, becoming the best high school player in that area since former Muir High and NBA standout Stacey Augmon. Vaughn excelled both on and off the court, and by his senior year was ranked as high as the #7 high school recruit in the country and the #2 point guard in the class of 1993 behind arguably the nation's top player that year, Randy Livingston. Over the course of the season, Vaughn averaged over 21 points and 19 assists per game, while also compiling six triple-doubles. Named a First-Team All-American by nearly every publication on the market, Vaughn rounded off his special season with a selection to participate in the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game where he put on a show, scoring only 6 points but amassing 13 assists (still a McDonald's record), while also thoroughly outplaying the higher-ranked Livingston once again—this time on a national stage (they had both matched up against each other in the All-Star Game of the 1992 Nike Camp), and was named co-MVP with the North Carolina's Jerry Stackhouse in the process. After considering Georgetown, Indiana, UNLV, Arizona and UCLA, Vaughn decided to play for coach Roy Williams at Kansas, continuing, along with fellow recruit and college roommate Scot Pollard, the California pipeline of high school hoopsters to Lawrence, Kansas, started by former standouts Adonis Jordan and Rex Walters, and continuing in later years with Paul Pierce, and Eric Chenowith.

Collegiate career[link]

In his college career Vaughn made an immediate impact, quickly becoming the starting point guard as a freshman by impressively beating out the incumbent starter, the ultra-quick Calvin Rayford, a former McDonald's All-American himself. Among Vaughn's first-year highlights were earning the MVP award at the 1993 Pre-Season NIT at Madison Square Garden in New York City and hitting a game-winning three pointer at the overtime buzzer to beat Indiana in an early season game at Allen Fieldhouse.^[2] Throughout his four years at Kansas, Vaughn was best known as a flashy distributor of the basketball and a pesky defender with great speed and court awareness. By the end of his college career, he was the all-time leader in assists in Kansas basketball history with 804 total (since surpassed by Aaron Miles), as well as the Big Eight Conference's all-time record holder. In 1997, the award given annually to the school's assist leader was renamed to include Vaughn, Miles and original assists leader, Cedric Hunter, as the Hunter/Vaughn/Miles Assists Award.

Professional career[link]

In 1997, Vaughn was selected 27th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Draft. In addition to playing four seasons in Utah, Vaughn also played with the Orlando Magic, the Atlanta Hawks (in two separate stints), New Jersey Nets, and San Antonio Spurs. He appeared in 64 games for the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs during the 06-07 season and finished his career there, retiring after the 08-09 season. Over his career, he averaged 4.5 points per game and 2.5 assists per game. He also set an NBA record for consecutive missed field goal attempts to open a season, missing his first 22 to start the 2001 season with the Atlanta Hawks. After 12 seasons as a player in the NBA, in September 2010 Vaughn rejoined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach.

Academic achievements[link]

In addition to his athletic prowess, Vaughn continually excelled academically on both the scholastic and collegiate levels, maintaining a 3.94 GPA in high school Honors and AP courses and a 3.72 GPA as a Business Administration major at Kansas. As a senior in 1993, Vaughn was awarded the Dial Award as the nation's top male high school scholar-athlete, becoming the first basketball player ever to win that award, was a two-time Academic All-American at Kansas and the 1997 GTE Academic All-American of the Year. He was also named the Big Eight Player of the Year in 1996 and a was a two-time all-conference pick.^{[citation needed]} His college jersey was retired on December 31, 2002 and hangs in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.^[3]

Vaughn, an avid poetry reader, is married to his college sweetheart, Laura, and has two sons, Jalen and Jeremiah.

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jacque Vaughn at NBA.com