APU Hosts Football Alumni Reunion to Celebrate Coach Milhon

Azusa Pacific University will honor the legacy of Coach Jim Milhon with a football alumni reunion hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Athletic Department from September 30 - October 1, 2022. An APU football legend, Milhon served as the Cougars’ head football coach from 1978-94. Over those 17 seasons, Milhon led the Cougars to an 81-69-3 record, accounting for the second most wins in program history.

“Jim Milhon epitomized the best of Azusa Pacific coaches. He turned the Cougar football program around, establishing a culture of success built on playing tough and executing good fundamentals,” said Athletic Director Gary Pine. “His players knew that he loved them by how he interacted with them. He was a very personable coach who had a story to share for every situation. He took time to know you, your family, and the people who were important to you. He could be direct, but he was never demeaning. His players loved him, and played hard to win for him."

Of the hundreds of players who were coached by Milhon, none went on to have a more successful professional career than Christian Okoye, the “Nigerian Nightmare.” Okoye, who came to APU to train for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in track, was offered a spot on the football team after Milhon and the rest of the coaching staff witnessed his legendary “running back’s speed in a linebacker’s body.” After breaking numerous records at APU, Okoye was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1987 NFL draft, accumulating 4,897 career rushing yards and 40 touchdowns in six seasons.

“Coach Milhon cared more about his players' hard work and well-being than winning a football game,” Okoye said. “I remember Coach Milhon’s booming voice. He was always happy and willing to teach. Everything he did on the field was done with love and God in mind.”

This event is the first opportunity the university has had to recognize and celebrate the Azusa Pacific football program since it was discontinued.

“We hope this gives our alumni, who were so deeply impacted by this program, the opportunity to remember and celebrate together, as well as honor the leaders who were such an integral part of their experience at Azusa Pacific College and Azusa Pacific University,” said Angie DiClaudio, MBM, director of Alumni Engagement. “We hope to have other generations of APU football players come together for a similar opportunity in the near future.”

Reunion Schedule Friday, September 30 5 p.m.: APU Women’s Soccer Game vs. Concordia (APU Soccer Field, West Campus, 701 E Foothill Blvd. in Azusa) 6:30 p.m.: Soccer Tailgate (Both games and tailgate dinner are free for football alumni and their guests) 7:30 p.m.: APU Men’s Soccer Game vs. Concordia 8:15 p.m.: Football Alumni Halftime Presentation Saturday, October 1 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Picnic Lunch at Hillside Cross, $15/person, age 10 and under are free (Church of the Open Door, 701 Sierra Madre Ave. in Glendora) 5 p.m.: Honoree Dinner, $35/person, age 10 and under are free (Upper Turner Campus Center, East Campus, 901 E Alosta Ave in Azusa) Sunday, October 2 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (Franson Field, East Campus) 10 a.m. Chapel Address by Steve Connor ’85

Connor was a two-time NAIA All-American defensive lineman as a member of APU’s football team from 1982-83. His talented play at APU launched a brief professional career with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams before he sustained a career-ending knee injury. Connor pursued coaching jobs at the collegiate level before serving as chaplain for several colleges and professional soccer teams in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues. In 1996, Connor founded Sports Outreach International, an organization devoted to developing leadership and fraternity through sports and competition. He has published 11 books, including A Sporting Guide to Eternity (2004), which reached Thomas Wesley bestseller status. Connor was inducted into APU’s Hall of Fame in 2006.

RSVP All APU football alumni from 1975-95 are welcome to attend. RSVP for the reunion here. Registration closes September 10.

By collaborating with alumni through intentional partnerships, the Office of Alumni Engagement aims for APU graduates to achieve their fullest potential in all aspects of community engagement and discipleship, lifelong learning, and transformational leadership. Alumni Engagement provides events, resources, and benefits to stay connected to APU and foster a spirit of loyalty, advancing the APU community and work of God in the world.