Justin Miller – Renton, WA

Justin Miller is a regular sight at the Pickled Onion in Renton and his list of friends is longer than your right arm. Justin’s consistently great attitude and friendly disposition has earned him a spotlight in the pages of the Medallion as this months Player Profile segment.

Sit back and enjoy a one-on-one with our friend Justin Miller. Let’s take a moment to get to know the man that has made a positive difference in so many lives.

So, Justin, what’s the word, big guy?
Not much, just enjoying the weekend and living the dream!

How many years have you been playing this crazy game anyway?
I have been playing darts for 14 years. My mother played darts when I was in high school so we had a board on the wall that I used to practice on. Her trophies used to inspire me to become a dart player.

What’s your secret to keeping the drive alive?
I love to compete so I will always have the drive to play and compete at the highest level possible.

Where do you find your inspiration within the game of darts?
Last season my partner Bobby Magee passed away early in the season. It was one of the most devastating things that ever happened to me since not only had he been my dart partner for the past three seasons but he was also one of my best friends. At that point I was ready to quit darts and give it up for good. Rick Clark stepped up and offered to finish the season with me. Not only did he make me a better player but he also made me realize that quitting would have been the worst thing to do at the time. Since then I have made it a point to have fun and just try to be the best opponent and teammate I can be. It is also a good way for me to carry on Bobby’s spirit.

Wow, great story! Any family in the area?
My mom and my younger brother live right up the street from me here in Renton. Which is nice with me being single, ’cause I always got somewhere to go to eat.

Eating is good. To whom do you attribute your love of the game, Justin?
Steve Fisher is the first person who taught me that the game is fun and not to take it too seriously. I am glad he is still around and playing darts, it’s always a lot of fun to hang out with him at the State tournaments.

Tell us how your game has evolved over the years.
One thing about me is I am a student of the game, so I am constantly looking for ways to improve and get better.

I understand you’re a big hockey fan. How did that happen?
My ex-girlfriend went to college on the East Coast and went to a lot of minor league hockey games. So when she moved out here and we got together, I started going to Seattle Thunderbird games and fell in love with the sport right away. I have had season tickets for the last four years now.

Those games are fun, I’ve been to a few myself. Do you find any similarities in the dart arena and the hockey arena?
Just the drive to be competitive and that it aren’t over till it’s over.

What kind of work do you do, Justin?
I work for the State of Washington for the Department of Social and Health Services as a financial worker in the Capitol Hill office.

Whoa, cushy job! Do you enjoy any hobbies away from the game of darts?
I like to collect sports cards, music and I am also a big movie buff.

Is there anyone from the dart world that you hang out with away from the boards?
Outside of darts I hang out with Mike Callentine a lot, or Cal as everyone knows him. Terry Gest from Medalist and a few of our other Pickled Onion family such as Sean, Brother Craig, Brenda, Sara, Jenn, Johnny B, Jolie, Ian and Becky.

Dude, not short on friends, are ya? Ever been to one of those wild parties in Cal’s garage I keep hearin’ about?
As the sign reads on the wall at Cal’s garage “what happens at the garage stays at the garage”. And that’s all I got to say about that.

Nice. Do you have a dart board at home to practice on?
I don’t have a board at home, but I get plenty of practice at Cal’s bar and garage.

What is your philosophy toward the game as a whole?
Just go out there, have fun and always be willing to win or lose graciously. Also, always be willing to take the time to pass on to other players what you have been taught by someone else.

Give us some characteristics of a great opponent, in your opinion.
Good attitude and the willingness to want to beat me as much as I want to beat you.

What kind of accomplishments have you attained over the years as it pertains to darts?
I’ve won a few tournaments along the way and made a lot of great friends that I am very thankful for.

Modest too. Have you ever graced the Pit at a Medalist State or Worlds event?
I’ve taken third place twice, but I have not made it to the Pit yet. I know it will happen sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.

Do you regularly travel to other locations for dart tournaments?
I was not much of a tournament player before, but now I try to go as much as possible to compete and also to make new friends along the way.

What makes the Pickled Onion so special for you?
We have a great family of dart players and patrons and I really enjoy hanging around with them. Sean really takes care of everybody and is a lot of fun to shoot for. I see myself shooting darts out of there for a long time.

So, where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully still playing and teaching new players on how to play and also enjoying the game as much as I do now.

Is there anything you’d like to say to dart players everywhere in closing?
To everyone I have competed against and will compete against, thank you for the fun and friendships and I hope to see all of you around for many years to come.

Well said, Justin. We thank you for taking the time to spill your guts. We hope that your fellow players will feel comfortable approaching you to say hello and introduce themselves after reading this. You could use a couple new friends, right? Maybe you could add their names to your left leg once your arm gets too full, huh?

Take care and keep it real, buddy. See ya at the boards!