Clarence Paul "Sally" Miles was born in Hanover County, Virginia on June 21, 1879. The son of William J. and Charlotte Ellett Miles, he entered the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech) in 1897. During his studies Miles played on both the baseball and football teams, serving as captain of each at different times.

After earning his master's degree, Miles served as a chemistry instructor, while also coaching baseball and football. From 1902 to 1920, Miles served as the school's professor of modern languages and also served as the graduate manager of athletics, beginning in 1908. In 1920, Miles' part-time position as athletics manager evolved into the full-time director of athletics position, and he continued to serve in that capacity until 1935, when he resumed instruction in foreign languages. He retired in 1956, having also served as Virginia Tech's treasurer and as the dean of the college from 1943 to 1950.

Among other activities, Miles served as a director and vice-president of Blacksburg National Bank and a member of the Blacksburg Town Council. He was twice married: first to Virginia Longley Vawter in 1913 and to Elizabeth Anderson Hall in 1935. Sally Miles died on May 2, 1966.