And yet, alumnus Michael B. Andres ’87 did just that. Having played for the Flagler Men’s Basketball team from ’83-’85, he desired to be an Assistant Coach for Flagler’s basketball program because of his love of the game and the College.
Even before moving back to St. Augustine and gratuitously giving his time to the Men’s Basketball Program, he desired to honor his educational beginnings. In 2025, he established a significant planned gift while continuing to build the Michael B. Andres ’87 Endowed Scholarship Fund, which he established in 2001. This fund benefits an individual of good character on the Flagler Men’s Basketball team. As a member of the Loyal Lion Giving Society and the Henry M. Flagler Heritage Leadership Donor Society, Andres continues to contribute to and increase these gifts each year.
“With the scholarship, I love that there is a specific person who benefits and that it is helping that individual,” Andres said. “I realized that I am happiest when connecting to and helping college-aged students. I also certainly love the thrill of competition and the euphoria of winning these games.”
Andres began coaching college basketball about five years ago in the northeastern US with Drew University and Moravian University after a successful career in what he considers his prior life as an investment banker. However, when presented with a way to combine his love of basketball and his appreciation for Flagler, he finally found his happy place in the Flagler Family. He recently finished his first season at the College and is looking forward to the next.
“I am coaching, not for financial benefit to myself, but as a time contribution to the school and a respect for the program’s values. Jud Damon, the Director of Athletics, runs Flagler’s athletic program to compete and succeed the right way, with a strong emphasis on sportsmanship,” Andres said. “Head Men's Basketball Coach Blake Selland, in addition to his exceptional basketball knowledge and great enthusiasm, demands that all players represent Flagler with a reflection of the school’s behavior, sportsmanship, and academic values.”
When researching colleges to attend as a student himself, Andres liked Flagler and its people, but because he lived in Dayton, Ohio, he sought financial help to attend an out-of-state college. Flagler was there for him when he needed it most.
“I greatly benefitted from being a recipient of the Lewis-Wiley Scholarship, thanks to Dr. [Bill] Abare, who was head of admissions at the time,” Andres said.
He was awarded this highly sought-after four-year scholarship, covering full tuition, for demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and moral strength of character. Upon graduating from Flagler with a BA in Business Administration, Andres went on to attain an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
“It feels good to invest in the institution that helped me financially as a student. I have tried to pay forward the generosity of the Lewis-Wiley family through financial gifts, service on the Alumni Board, and now as a coach,” Andres said. “Years later, it is amazing to now reconnect at our home games with the people who built the College and athletics of Flagler, like Dr. Abare, Coach Clark, and Dan Stewart.”
His advice to student-athletes preparing for life after graduation is succinct, heartfelt, and drawn from his own experiences. “College basketball is one of the greatest experiences of life, but it is important to make sure you prepare for the next step in your life after basketball ends.”
