MILES DORCH

The first time I saw Myles "Mousey" Dorch was about thirty years ago. Mousey was on of my first coaches back in the early seventies, and now that I think about it, I have borrowed quite a bit from him in my own coaching style. A man of few words during the game, but his approval or displeasure with your performance was usually clearly conveyed by a sophisticated system of raised eyebrows, up turned palms, taps on his thighs, frowns, smiles, shakes or nods of the head, and shoulder movements. Needless to say it would take a number of years to fully comprehend Mousey's non-verbal system... but once you've got it... you have it for life. Now, usually reserved for a total screw up or extreme displeasure with whatever you were doing was, without a doubt, that awe inspiring stare. "The Stare of Death" possessed by Mr. Dorch was possibly one of the most intimidating tactics in youth service work. The stare was no doubt comparable, and just as powerful, as the Vulcan Neck Grip or the Jedi Attitude Adjustment. If you've ever found yourself doing anything that you should not have done, on or off the court, you would be sure to get that look from Mousey. The look disarms you, it strips you naked, and you search withing yourself for the answer to the obvious question of the moment, "What did I do wrong?"

Mousey grew up on Boston Road and 166 st, across the street from Morris High School. He was a powerful scorer and rebounding forward at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. Where in his senior year he lead his team to the 1960 C.H.S.A.L. quarter finals. He was then recruited to go to St. Anselms College in Manchester, New Hampshire. He has performed just about every conceivable position in recreational and semi-pro basketball in New York City. He's been a player, a coach, a referee, a site director, and program administraitor with immense success. Myles is presently an Assistant Coach at Old Westbury College, and is retired from a career in social services. When asked about the origin of the "Dorch Death Stare" Myles laughed and innocently asked, "What stare?" Then he responds, "It's another system of communication... everybody knows what they have to do, they know when they have done something wrong.. so ...it's a non-verbal communication method that's been passed down from generation to generation. Needless to say it was a very, very, effective teaching tool, and a quiet roar from a gym mouse named Myles.

Full length of this article can be found in "My Starting Five New York City Hoop Legends of the Game" by Lahh Woods

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