SHORELINE — Andrew Montzingo never played high school basketball, but he commands respect on the court in a different role: as an assistant coach.
At 3-foot-8, a playing career wasn’t likely, so the 2005 Shorewood graduate learned the game while he worked as a manager of the Thunderbirds varsity boys team.
This season, Montzingo, 19, moved up to work as a volunteer assistant to Shorewood freshman boys coach Larry Stewart. He sits on the bench during varsity games as well, recording statistics and receiving pointers from Stewart.
A sports nut, Montzingo had a front-row seat to Shorewood athletics during his high school years. He served as the manager for the varsity boys basketball, football and baseball teams.
“I know more about baseball,” Montzingo said. “But truthfully, it’s a slow sport for me. There’s not as much action.”
Thus, the interest in working his way into coaching basketball.
“He’s learning stuff,” Stewart said. “I’m hoping he becomes a coach. The kids really respect him.”
Stewart has encouraged Montzingo to assert himself and demand discipline of the players when they’re working on drills.
“It’s funny,” Montzingo said. “The first day, Stewart said, ‘Don’t be afraid of making guys run or do push-ups.’ I was on top of them and they were laughing.”
Montzingo, a student at Shoreline Community College right now, isn’t that much older than the players, but he lightens the mood with his sense of humor. His stylish threads also get him a ribbing from Stewart.
“In the beginning, it was kind of weird taking orders from him,” guard Tomas Sanchez said. “He’s just learning now. He’s got more time to develop as a coach.
“He’s just like another coach even though he’s small.(He’s) a funny guy, cool to have around.”
A genetic bone growth condition, achondroplasia, caused Montzingo’s short stature. The condition is by far the most common of 200 types of dwarfism, according to Little People of America, Inc. It affects between one in 26,000 and one in 40,000 births. Both of Montzingo’s parents are little people.
When it comes to coaching, Montzingo has much to absorb from Stewart, 61, who has 38 years of basketball coaching experience.
Stewart is no stranger to the Montzingo family, which has often pursued careers in athletics or the ministry. Stewart gave Andrew’s uncle, Dean Montzingo, his first head coaching job back in the 1980s at Kent’s Sequoia Junior High School. Dean, who is not a dwarf, is now head coach at Kentwood where he led the Conquerors to the 2004 4A title and second-place last year. Andrew’s father, Darrel, teaches physical education and coaches golf at Roosevelt High School, and two other uncles are coaches.
Learning how to improve his communication skills while directing drills is one of the aspects of coaching that Montzingo has picked up from his mentor Stewart.
“I know something about the game, (but) I’m learning more,” Montzingo said.
Montzingo is familiar with the motion offense but said he’s “more prone to knowing” defenses. He studies plays on his own time like the players.
During workouts, Montzingo keeps things on schedule by timing each drill with an egg timer.
“He’s good, he helps a lot,” guard Jordan Rawls said.
Montzingo plans to earn transfer credits from Shoreline CC so he can attend Seattle Pacific and study psychology or physical education. His long-range goal is to be a teacher and coach at the elementary or middle school level.
Montzingo likes to shoot hoops before practice or with his buddies. He loves to blast the stereo and fire up shots in the backyard at his mom Vicki’s house.
He’ll play competitive basketball at the Little People of America’s national conference that runs June 30 to July 8 in Milwaukee. In 2007, the conference comes to Seattle.
“I love to be around sports,” Montzingo said.
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