Heritage Association Spotlight: Todd Miller & Steve Rottman, Men's Volleyball

The Heritage Association had the opportunity to speak with former USC Men's Volleyball players Todd Miller and Steve Rottman following their discovery of the most recent Heritage Association Spotlight.

"When we realized what USC was doing to recognize former student-athletes and inspire current ones, we were stoked," says Todd. "We are honored to share our friendship and athletic journey."

Todd and Steve first met in 1979, at a Corona Del Mar beach volleyball tournament, where they competed as the two youngest players in the tournament. The pair quickly learned how much more they'd have in common.

Todd Miller & Steve Rottman

"Not only were Steve and I the youngest players, but it was at this tournament where we first spoke about our future together at USC," says Todd. "We also realized we would be the only two guys on the team in the Marshall School of Business, both with an emphasis in real estate finance."

"As it would turn out, we both had fathers in the real estate development business." Steve chimes in.

In fact, both Todd and Steve's fathers held a great deal of influence when it came to their sport (and university!) of choice.

"My father, who graduated from USC law school, took me to a weekend volleyball clinic at UCLA lead by legendary Bruin coach Al Scates, 19-time National Champion," says Todd. "At 10 years old, with a 6' 3" father and a pretty good vertical jump, I felt a connection to the sport. I won my middle school volleyball doubles championship and I was hooked."

For both athletes, the appeal of USC's academic merit and athletic excellence appealed above all other offers.

"My father had a huge role [in my decision] because, at the time, I had several offers, including one from the University of Hawaii. At that age, Hawaii sounded great" says Steve. "But, my father told me, 'When I was your age, I longed to go to USC but couldn't afford it. You have a wonderful opportunity to go to a top-notch school and volleyball program." "My Dad convinced me to become a Trojan and I'm so glad that he did."

Todd, who held an offer from San Diego State, also viewed USC as the best choice, partly because the Trojans had recently won the 1977 Men's Volleyball National Championship. "Between the academia offered by the business school and the strong volleyball pedigree, we had a real opportunity there."

Todd and Steve would go on to be college roommates, groomsmen, lifelong friends and, once again, masters volleyball teammates, all because of their time at USC, which they reflect on as one of the more rewarding things they've done.

"Coming in I didn't know how good the level of play was, really," says Steve. "Our USC team held three (Dusty Dvorak, Pat Powers and Steve Timmons) future 1984 gold medal winning Olympic starters! After practicing with these guys, I realized the high level at which we would compete, and the level which I would aspire to be as a player. What a great opportunity as an athlete to be on such an outstanding team with world class athletes."

Under coaches Ernie Hix and Bob Yoder, Todd and Steve would compete in two Final Four tournaments in 1981 and 1982. In 1981, the USC Men's Volleyball team lost to UCLA in an ultra-close (decided by two points in the last set) five set match; a loss the two of them will never forget.

Steve was on the Trojan's 1980 National Championship team.

"I still have nightmares from time to time of that match! In fact, my desire to organize our masters volleyball team in 2005 came from the unresolved emotions of that loss in the 1981 NCAA final," says Todd.

"I still remember the last few points of the final set when we lost that '81 final," says Steve. "We were so close to winning back to back championships. That loss still hurts."

"Life after USC," says Todd. "Now that's where we've tried to excel and continue our love for the sport and for competition…"

For Todd and Steve, their relationship with one another and with the sport of volleyball have not only continued but grown stronger over the years.

"Now we compete every year at the USA Adult National Championships," says Todd. "Which was something Steve did not want to do, initially!"

"He's right!" says Steve. "It had been years since I had played competitive indoor volleyball, and at breakfast one day he tried his hardest to convince me to join. We went back and forth until he finally pulled from his bag a brand new USA Masters team jersey, and I was sold. I decided to play again and haven't stopped since that first event. I thank Todd all the time for getting me back into the sport I love."

Throughout the last 12 years, Todd and Steve have gone on to compete together in various national and international indoor volleyball tournaments with notable results including four-time USA Volleyball Masters National Champions, six-time Huntsman World Senior Games Champions and, most recently, 2017 World Masters Games Champions played in Auckland, New Zealand.

"Out of all our teammates over the years, we're the only two with all eleven championship rings!" says Steve. "As you get older there are many other obligations and health issues that can keep you out of a tournament. Raising my 5 daughters and keeping up with all their activities alone certainly takes a lot of Steve volleyball time away—it's been a big commitment to compete year in and year out, but I'm glad we have as it has been a blast."

"Steve and I were voted to the All-American team at the USA Volleyball National Championships in 2015 and 2016," Todd adds. "And he won't say it, but Steve was voted MVP in 2016."

Not only have Todd and Steve's successes in volleyball taught them about their spirit as competitors, but also of their thirst to understand the human body and push its limits.

"As older athletes competing well into our 50's in a fast-twitch, explosive sport we have become deep-dive students of how to keep the body healthy and running on all cylinders to allow us to compete in the four-consecutive day national tournaments." Says Todd.

Over the years, the duo has managed to collect knowledge they've gained regarding weight training, rehabilitation from injuries, cardiovascular work, stretching, dynamic exercises, nutrition, and recovery, all to best prepare them for every stage of competition.

"The older we get," says Steve. "The more important these training variables become. Todd and I are always sharing new training methods and constantly making adjustments as we age. We push each other to try new things that we think will make us perform better or help us avoid injury."

"I'd say we have become scientists of the do's and don'ts of the process of competing for championships as old guys!" Todd adds.

Outside of their lives as teammates, Todd has served as Partner at Western States Technologies, a real estate investment company headquartered in Los Angeles, and is the Executive Director and Co-Founder, along with his wife Joselyn, of Global Grins, a non-profit distributing toothbrushes around the world to people in need.

Steve is a Partner and Co-Founder of The RK Companies, a real-estate development and investment company in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and gives back to his surrounding communities through his involvement with faith-based organizations.

"USC gave us the tools and resources to succeed, professionally, so now giving back where we can has become a higher priority," says Steve.

"The 'Trojan Family' has played a huge role," says Todd. "That Trojan spirit has given me the self-confidence and competitiveness to take risks, start my own company, and put my successes towards Global Grins where we are working to change the harsh reality that there are more cell phones than toothbrushes in the world."

When it comes to giving back to the 'Trojan Family', which once gave them so much, the volleyball players are all-hands-on-deck: Todd has mentored USC Men's Volleyball players in the past, and continues to give back through philanthropy to the School of Business and the Athletic Department. Todd's daughter, Mychaela, played indoor volleyball at USC from 2007 to 2010. As for Steve, he continues to stay in touch with the volleyball program, plays in the alumni game when possible, attends matches, and occasionally hosts the team for pre-game meals in Santa Barbara.

"USC was really one of the best experiences for us, as athletes and as students." Says Todd. "But above all, it's given us the foundation to continue to compete at the highest level. We hope we inspire former athletes to do the same. It really speaks to USC Heritage."

Fun Facts

Organizations joined outside of athletics:

Todd: "I pledged Kappa Sigma with a number of my friends from high school."

Steve: "I was in Theta Chi, which was known to be the 'volleyball house.'"

Most embarrassing moment as a student-athlete:

Todd: "My most embarrassing moment playing at USC happened during that 1981 NCAA final which was televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports. My teammate and I both dove in the air for a ball and he landed on top of me, forcing my chin into the gym floor, requiring 12 stitches. I missed about 20 minutes of the match getting stitched up!"

Favorite Memory:

Todd: "The number one TV show in America in 1981 was Magnum PI, starring former USC men's volleyball player Tom Selleck. That year we happened to travel to Hawaii to compete and, one day, we had some free time and went body surfing at Sandy Beach where they were filming a scene for Magnum PI. There were probably about 100 people involved with that scene, from stars, to extras, to all of the camera people, sound people, security…"

Steve: "Once Tom found out that there were some USC volleyball players there, he stopped filming and came over to sit with us on the beach where we hung out and chatted for about 45 minutes. It was an awesome experience for Todd and me and it made us thankful to be Trojan volleyball players all the more! Later that day, as a result of that chance meeting, Tom hung out with us and we all played beach volleyball together at The Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki."

One piece of advice you would give to current student-athletes:

Todd: The four years will fly by so make sure you take full advantage of all the many enriching options available to Trojans, such as, dual majors or a minor, summer internships and volunteer opportunities. Stay razor sharp focused on your academics as you may want to pursue an advanced degree someday. Maintain relationships with your favorite professors as they can be a valuable source for guidance during the job search process. There is no "I" in team, but there are some in: Attainment, Commitment, Leadership, Champion and Eminence!

Steve: Enjoy the experience, the memories will last forever and it goes by real fast.

USC in one sentence:

Todd: USC is a place to build yourself a rock solid foundation toward a future where you can accomplish your loftiest goals, live your wildest dreams and unceasingly cross off items on your bucket (butt-kick) list.

Steve: A great university for the motivated student athlete who is up for the challenge in both school and in the classroom.

If you are a member of the USC student-athlete alumni community, or would like more information about the Heritage Association, please click here!

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Heritage Association Spotlight: Todd Miller & Steve Rottman, Men's Volleyball

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