April 19, 2008

NACOGDOCHES - Hall of Fame athletic trainer Sandy Miller was arrested and hauled to an on campus jail Friday morning as part of an ongoing fundraiser for his wife, Madalene, who is battling Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). Along with a deputy office, Nacogdoches County Sheriff, Thomas Kerss, arrived at the SFA Athletic Training Complex shortly before 10 a.m. and arrested Miller where he was placed in a cruiser and taken to an on-campus jail where he would be forced to make bail.

The bail money raised will be used to help offset the financial burden incurred during Madalene's treatment. PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, which affects more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia combined. More than 600,000 Americans, and 12.5 million people worldwide battle PKD every year.

The bail, which was originally set at $2,000, was doubled after Miller resisted arrest, and made comments threatening in nature to assistant athletic trainer Loree McCary, and the rest of the SFA athletic training staff.

Miller made bail early Friday afternoon, and was allowed to return to work. The arrest raised approximately $8,800. Donations are ongoing, and will be accepted through Thursday, May 1. There have been no further complaints filed against Miller since his return from jail.

-SFA-