Basketball in his Blood: Catching up with Andrew Mirken
This article about Rivers basketball coach Andrew Mirken was written by Rivers’ own
Adam Lowenstein ’10.
Craving the ball from a long rebound, sophomore Shaquor Sandiford dives head first into the bleachers for the basketball. “That’s a hustle point, Shaq,” shouts the coach. Rewarding his players for intense effort is part of Coach Andrew Mirken’s philosophy of attaining excellence in sports. “One person with passion is equal to one hundred [people] with an interest,” he tells the team. Without this passion, no team can be successful.”
Basketball in his Blood: Catching up with Andrew Mirken
This article about Rivers basketball coach Andrew Mirken was written by Rivers’ own
Adam Lowenstein ’10.
Craving the ball from a long rebound, sophomore Shaquor Sandiford dives head first into the bleachers for the basketball. “That’s a hustle point, Shaq,” shouts the coach. Rewarding his players for intense effort is part of Coach Andrew Mirken’s philosophy of attaining excellence in sports. “One person with passion is equal to one hundred [people] with an interest,” he tells the team. Without this passion, no team can be successful.”
Mirken, age 40, just started his second season as head coach of The Rivers School boys’ varsity basketball team. Born and raised in Newton, Mirken has a deep basketball lineage that extends to his father Mark, who played under the guidance of legendary Coach Dean Smith at UNC from 1965 to 1967 and was drafted by the New York Knicks. Although Mirken the elder pursued a career in law, he was always available to pass down his basketball wisdom to his son.
At the age of seven, Mirken attended the University of North Carolina summer basketball camp. One camp counselor provided special attention to Andrew. This counselor was Michael Jordan. Mirken loved the camp so much that he returned for each of the next six summers to improve his skills. Learning the game of basketball from arguably the greatest basketball player of all time inspired him to pursue a profession on the hardwood.
Sauntering down the McDowell Athletic Center court with one pant leg rolled up, Mirken declares: “This basketball season will be different from any other season I have ever coached.” Starting in November, he will be trying to avenge last year’s loss-heavy season. Mirken advises this year’s players to put the past behind them. “This is the last practice that we will be below .500,” he said to the team at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Mirken has worked tirelessly since last winter to strengthen the roster with impact players like junior guard/forward Taariq Allen, sophomore guard/forward Shaquor Sandiford, sophomore forward Kyle Reardon, and freshman point guard Carlin Haymon. Through his efforts, Mirken has developed great relationships with each of his players. “He is not the type of coach who will yell and scream at you, but he will let you know if you have made a mistake,” says two-year varsity veteran Dan Singer.
Even before Mirken was known around Rivers as a dedicated and passionate head coach, he had a rich basketball history in coaching and administration. He most recently served as the Director of Basketball Operations at Boston University and had successively coached sixteen years at the high school level throughout the state of Massachusetts. While at Westwood High School, Mirken led the varsity boys’ basketball team to two Tri-Valley League titles in three years. The coach is energized to return for his second year of high school coaching after an eight-year hiatus.
“I have never felt as good about a basketball team as this year’s team,” says senior John Bullit. “Coach Mirken and his staff have prepared us for just about anything.” Mirken is already anticipating a special season, a basketball season that may yet bring a smile to the one time pupil of his Airness, Michael Jordan.
