Miami University has a long list of impressive athletes and record-breaking stats. Many of these athletes left their marks on the Miami record books and represented the Red and White well during their time at Miami. While the NHL may have a new top goal scorer, these Miami names have so far stood the test of time.
Ben Roethlisberger - Football
Roethlisberger spent three seasons at quarterback for the RedHawks and amassed 84 total touchdowns, the most by any Miami quarterback. He also ranks second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for single-season passing yards with 4,486 in 2003. His success at Miami garnered him a lot of attention going into the 2004 NFL draft.
After three seasons at Miami, Roethlisberger was drafted 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. This officially made Roethlisberger the highest NFL draft pick in Miami history. The next-closest pick was in 1969, when the San Diego Chargers selected linebacker Bob Babich 18th overall.
During his 18 seasons with the Steelers, Roethlisberger became one of the most prolific passers ever. He won two Super Bowls before retiring in 2022, and ranks first in both career passing yards (64,088) and touchdowns (418).
Nowadays, Roethlisberger hosts a podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” where he discusses the NFL games and interviews with special guests.
Travis Prentice - Football
Prentice was a redshirt freshman running back who was passed over until his second year. After a breakout sophomore year, he won MAC Player of the Year in 1998. In three seasons, he amassed 5,596 rushing yards and 73 rushing touchdowns, the most in Miami history and third-most in NCAA history.
After breaking many school records, Prentice declared for the 2000 NFL Draft. He was drafted early in the third round by the Cleveland Browns and had a productive rookie season, with 512 yards and seven touchdowns before being cut and signed to the Minnesota Vikings.
Prentice only played a few more snaps in a relatively short career. However, he moved on to earn his masters degree in Occupational Therapy in 2014 from Spalding University.
Karli Spaid - Softball
Spaid spent four seasons at Miami, finishing her collegiate career in 2024. She holds multiple school records, including 103 home runs, 274 hits and 258 RBIs, and she became the second player in NCAA Division I softball to hit over 100 home runs. This earned her four All-MAC honoree awards and the unanimous 2024 MAC Player of the Year award.
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She graduated with a bachelor's degree in sport leadership and management. After her time at Miami, Spaid was signed to the AU professional softball league. She has also joined the University of Tennessee Vols softball team as a graduate assistant.
Ryne Robinson - Football
Robinson played as a wide receiver at Miami from 2003-06. During this time, he captured the school record of 258 receptions and 3,697 receiving yards. Robinson’s consistency and impressive stats cemented him as one of the greatest wide receivers in school history.
In the 2007 NFL Draft, Robinson was selected in the fourth round with the 118th pick by the Carolina Panthers. During his one season with the Panthers, he was only ever used as a kickoff and punt returner. He gained 860 returning yards total in almost 60 attempts. Because of injuries, Robinson was waived. He never played another snap in the NFL.
Robinson was also a left fielder on the RedHawks baseball team in his Miami tenure. After his time in the NFL, Robinson moved on to play football for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League in 2010.
Robinson now works in the tech industry selling software.
Adam Eaton - Baseball
Eaton was one of the most consistent hitters and baserunners in Miami baseball history. He holds the school record for triples with 18 and the fourth-most runs scored with 169.
Eaton was an underdog for most of his time in baseball, being a 5-foot-8 player with not a lot of power. However, he didn’t let that stop him, defying the odds and moving up through the professional ranks.
He moved on to play with four different teams in the MLB, most notably the White Sox and the 2019 World Champion Nationals. In 2016 on the White Sox, he was 17th in American League MVP voting with a batting average of .284 and 176 hits.
Eaton was truly a great contact hitter and fielder, which made him a main contributor to the Nationals’ World Series title in 2019.
He married Katie Osburn, a former Miami softball player, and they’re among some of the most notable Miami Mergers.
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