31 Aug 2022 Greenbrier dedicates new press box to football coach

By Stefanie Brazile

Through the eyes of B.J. McMillen, Greenbrier is the most wonderful place in the world and working with its football team is his purpose. The 42-year-old coach has been part of the team since seventh-grade and the school district recently added his name to the stadium’s new ^$1.6 million press box.

“As everyone knows, B.J.’s been a mainstay in the Greenbrier Athletic Program for nearly 30 years so we have wanted to do something for him for a long time,” Athletic Director Stephen Wood said. “We just had to wait for the right opportunity, and this press box was a perfect chance to honor him for all the joy he has brought to our school and community.”

On Aug. 8, present and former coaches, along with the McMillen family, were invited to the stadium and surprised B.J. At the appointed time, all of the coaches walked him onto the field under other pretenses and “happened” to angle him toward the new press box. Then, the sign was unveiled.

B.J.’s face lights up when he talks about that moment and how he felt. “Good. Fun! I was totally surprised.”

When he is congratulated on the honor, he is quick to say, “Thank you.”

“I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of my coaching staff, I’m proud that I’ll be working with them. I’m just happy to be right there with them,” he said. “Football means a lot to me. I like to be out there on Friday nights working the headset, just calling plays, just having a good time and winning. I want everybody to come and sit under my press box and watch.”

Known for his smile and sunny disposition, B.J. graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1999. His work with the football team started in seventh grade as a motivation to have good conduct in the classroom. Doug and Lameta McMillen raised their son and two daughters, Emilee and Hannah, in the close-knit Faulkner County community.

Over time, his responsibilities have grown, along with his love for all things Greenbrier. He wears a blue pro-Greenbrier shirt every day, except to Martinville Church of Christ services, but changes into one soon after arriving home.

“Having a special needs child, it was hard raising him and not knowing what his future would hold,” Lameta said. “Greenbrier has embraced him and they have given him something to look forward to every day of his life. They’ve asked him to come back and help year after year and he’s been part of the program for 28 years.”

He is issued official gear, including a baseball uniform. B.J. not only supports the athletic program, but also the students at pep rallies, where he revs-up the crowd each week. “Susan Harmon tells me what time to be there and I speak in the microphone and say things like, ‘Guys, students, administrators and principals, I want you to come out and support the Panthers and let’s win a football game!’ Then I say, ‘That’s all I got to say.’ And everybody gets really excited.”

Before each home game, they announce B.J. and the crowd cheers.

“I love Greenbrier,” he said. “I’m coaching high school baseball now. We’ve got a new head baseball coach and he’s gonna be a good one. I help Coach Wood on Thursday nights as the assistant athletic director at junior high games and I’m on the sidelines on Friday nights. I also attend the basketball games as a fan.”

When B.J. considers what the Panthers will achieve this season on the gridiron, he is confidently optimistic. “I think we’re gonna win all the games this year and make it to the playoffs again.”

Wood is glad to have B.J. at every practice and at home and away games. “B.J. means more to this athletic program and to these coaches, past and present, than he will ever know,” he said. “He brings an indescribable positive energy to everyone he meets and he has never met a stranger. He is the heart and soul of everything Greenbrier!”

A ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 to dedicate the press box and the public is invited to attend. B.J. extends a personal invitation to all readers. “I’m proud of it and proud of the administrators for building it for me, and I want everybody to come out and enjoy my press box every home game.”

As you look through the eyes of B.J. McMillen, the bright Friday night lights are always on in the town he calls home … and they are tinted blue.