For Ty Miller, Walsh University has been about far more than football or choosing a major. His time on campus has been shaped by lessons that became especially meaningful through his friendship with a young boy named Zach.
Ty, a sophomore majoring in Business Management, says Walsh’s core values—Community, Excellence, Integrity, Service, and Faith—have played an important role in his growth.
“I can confidently say that these core values have been a huge part of my journey,” Ty said.
Through the Walsh football program, Ty has participated in several service opportunities, including visiting residents at assisted living homes, spending time with children at the Massillon Boys & Girls Club, and volunteering at the SAM Center. One experience, however, stands out above the rest: his involvement with Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT connects children facing serious illness or disability with college athletic teams, giving them the opportunity to become part of a team community. Through the program, Ty met Zach Bucklew, a nine-year-old from Uniontown who was diagnosed in January 2025 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“Zach’s illness held him back from playing sports, but he is officially a Walsh Cavalier,” Ty said.
After signing with the football team, Zach began attending practices and games and spending time with players as one of the teammates. One of Ty’s favorite memories came during the Cavaliers’ final game of the season, when Zach led the team onto the field at Larry Staudt Field.
Another meaningful memory came during a visit to see Zach in the hospital.
“We spent time with him during his highs and his lows,” Ty said. “Through it all, Zach always had a smile on his face. When we heard Zach talk about what we meant to him, it blew me away. He shared how much fun he had being part of the team and how much it lifted his spirits.”
For Ty, hearing that made the experience even more rewarding.
“Sometimes you don’t know whether kids are responsive to these things, but Zach made it clear that we were a big boost for him,” he said.
Today, Ty is grateful to see Zach making progress.
“Praise Jesus that Zach is getting better and is back at school,” he said.
Beyond service, Ty says the friendships and sense of community he has found at Walsh have had a lasting impact. He credits his faith as the foundation for everything. Through the challenges of being a Walsh scholar-athlete and experiences like his friendship with Zach, Ty says his relationship with Jesus has grown significantly.
“My faith was always strong coming into college, but life away from your parents really makes you think and adapt,” Ty said. “My walk with Jesus has just skyrocketed since being here because of the amazing community at Walsh and honestly the tough things that I’ve gone through. Football has also shaped me into a better man and made me rely heavily on Jesus, and I will be forever grateful for what Walsh has done in my life.”
Ty originally came to Walsh planning to study nursing while playing football, drawn by the University’s strong program. However, after working a landscaping and hardscaping job over the summer, he discovered a passion for working with his hands and switched his major to Business Management with the goal of owning his own construction business one day.
“After a lot of prayer and time in the Word, I made the switch,” he said. “One might think that I don’t need a degree to do this, but I believe the critical thinking and problem-solving skills I have learned through my time at Walsh are more valuable than anything. I’m excited to see where God guides me when I graduate.”
