THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602020166
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Tim Millirons spends his workweek in Virginia Beach, hopping in and out of his United Parcel Service truck an average of 150 times a day. Recently, he hopped on a plane and landed in Phoenix. He and his best friend, Harry Boleman, attended Super Bowl XXX.
Millirons was one of 17 UPS employees to win a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip for two to the football extravaganza. UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, sponsored the nationwide contest, which involved more than 68,000 employees.
Millirons, 37, has worked for the company for nine years.
``I knew I'd won the Wednesday before Christmas,'' said Millirons. ``I was so excited I had to tell everyone on my route. I'd only finished about 10 or 12 deliveries before lunch.
``I still can't believe it.''
He has carried his Super Bowl XXX tickets with him since his return from Arizona Jan. 29. He works the area between Independence Boulevard and Witchduck Road.
Asked if he were a fan of either the Cowboys or the Steelers, Millirons replied: ``I've been a Green Bay Packer fan since I was a kid. I wanted to wear a cheesehead at the Super Bowl, but that didn't work out.
``I rooted for Pittsburgh. I waved my `terrible towel' the whole game.''
Millirons sat in the corner of the Dallas end zone and ``could see everything, even on the other end of the field. Good seats.''
``I became an even bigger fan of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.''
The only winner from Virginia, Millirons was selected by random drawing. To qualify, UPS employees had to fill out and submit two sales leads for international packaging.
Millirons and Boleman stayed at a Hampton Inn in Scottsdale and had the use of a rental car. They attended Super Bowl activities including a party at which Millirons got former Washington Redskins quarterback and current TV personality Joe Theisman's autograph - four of them, to be exact. He brought home a bag of Super Bowl XXX souvenirs - a starter jacket, a golf shirt, sweatshirt, baseball cap and fruit basket.
The lucky UPS driver enjoyed his first visit to the Southwest.
``We drove out to the desert,'' he said. ``It's beautiful.''
He described the Phoenix area as ``all cactus and stucco. I'd love to go back. Didn't want to leave, really.''
Millirons also made a promotional video for the Browns during his visit. Not the Cleveland Browns. The UPS Browns, a nickname occasioned by the color of the delivery drivers' uniforms. The video will promote next year's UPS contest.
``We got to say a few lines,'' said Millirons. ``The whole trip exceeded all of my expectations.
``I feel like I won the lottery. I'm still really excited.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
``I feel like I won the lottery,'' says Superbowl trip winner Tim
Millirons.
by CNB