Women’s Basketball Standout Rebecca Yoshor Named to Capital One Academic All-America Team

Yeshiva University junior forward Rebecca Yoshor has been named to Capital One’s NCAA Division III Academic All-America women’s basketball second team for the 2012-13 academic year. The teams were selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Yoshor is the first female student-athlete in YU history to garner Capital One Academic All-America honors, and just the second student-athlete overall. Former Maccabees men’s basketball player, Eric Davis was cited on the third team in 1991.

“This is an amazing honor,” said Yoshor upon hearing the news. “My parents and coaches, both in high school and college, have been very encouraging and supportive, to say the least.”

“Seeing Rebecca recognized by Capital One is wonderful,” said YU first-year head coach, Nesta Felix. “She is consistently one of the last players to leave practice and is very tough on herself. Knowing that, it is fantastic to see that her labors have not been in vain.” Read the rest of this entry…

YU Women’s Basketball Team Comes Together On and Off the Court

It’s nine o’clock on a Wednesday night and the Yeshiva University women’s basketball team is practicing basketball drills in a midtown high school gym. Poised on the sideline, guard Stephanie Greenberg holds a basketball close to her chest, scanning the court for an open teammate.

First-year Head Coach Nesta Felix has instilled the Lady Macs with a sense of confidence and cohesiveness.

Greenberg, a Stern College for Women sophomore, inbounds to Naomi Gofine, who curls around a defender and fires a pass to a cutting Rebecca Yoshor, who effortlessly lays it in the hoop. “I like that!” calls out Coach Nesta Felix. “When you do it right, basketball is like beautiful music. That was pretty.”

Felix, first-year head coach of the Maccabees, has worked rigorously, alongside Assistant Coach Garianne Brown, to mold the 2012-13 squad into one of the most hard working, tightly knit and cohesive teams to set foot on court for YU.

A native of St. Lucia, Felix was a two-sport Division I athlete, playing basketball and volleyball for Iona College. Her coaching career began right out of college in 2001, with Felix serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons at Monroe College, where she helped lead the team to four regional championships. In Fall 2012, Felix brought her discipline, determination and passion to Stern College—traits she has found in the Maccabees, as well. “One of the things I love about coaching here is the focus and work ethic of my ladies,” she said. “I’m driving them like they’ve never been driven before, but they are so committed because of who they are.” Read the rest of this entry…

With Milestone Victory, Jonathan Halpert Joins Elite Group of NYC Basketball Coaches

Yeshiva University’s Dr. Jonathan Halpert became just the seventh men’s basketball coach in New York City history to record his 400th career victory on Thursday night, December 6 at the Max Stern Athletic Center—on the same court dedicated less than one year ago in his honor. The YU Maccabees defeated visiting Skyline Conference opponent Maritime (N.Y.) College 72-50, notching their second win of the early season.

YU received an 18-point, eight-assist effort from senior Gil Bash (Tel Aviv, Israel), as the Maccabees shot 64 percent from the floor. Junior Shlomo Wiissberg (Skokie, Ill.) shot 7-for-9 from the field en route to a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, while senior Dovie Hoffman (Tarzana, Calif.) and junior Benjy Ritholtz (W. Hempstead, N.Y.) poured in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

With 400 wins, Halpert joins a select group of New York City men’s college basketball coaches who have reached this milestone Read the rest of this entry…

YU Athletics to Help Raise Awareness, Funds for Breast Cancer in October

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and once again the Yeshiva University Department of Athletics will do its part to raise awareness for the cause. The Maccabees will raise funds to benefit Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer.

“The Yeshiva University Department of Athletics has developed a tradition of raising awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October,” said Joe Bedarsh, YU athletic director. “Our department and over 200 student-athletes get the opportunity to not only raise awareness for the cause, but also to raise funds towards the Sharsheret organization, which has provided support for members of the Jewish community affected by breast cancer since its founding in 2001.”

Throughout the month of October, student-athletes on Yeshiva teams will wear pink warm-up t-shirts and wristbands at their contests. Furthermore, the student-athletes and departmental staff members will have those apparel items on sale at select contests and on the various Yeshiva campuses, with all proceeds going to Sharsheret. Items can also be purchased in person during normal business hours at the Max Stern Athletic Center, Room 101. T-shirts are on sale for $10, while wristbands are available for $5.

Reflections on Henry Wittenberg, Olympic Gold Medalist and YU Wrestling Coach

As the 2012 Olympics kick off in London, YUNews looks back at Yeshiva University’s very own London Olympian—a Jewish American wrestler named Henry Wittenberg, who took home the gold in 1948.

Wittenberg, top, won gold at the 1948 London Olympic Games. (© International Olympic Committee )

It was no easy win. Wittenberg, who was 30 at the time, had already missed his prime competitive years—the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were cancelled due to World War II, in which he served in the Navy. At the 1948 London Games, Wittenberg tore muscle tendons in his chest in the semifinals and his coach didn’t want him to wrestle in the final rounds. But the wrestler fought on to win first place in the light heavyweight freestyle competition and received a hero’s welcome upon his return to New York.

Four years later, with a push from his wife, Edith (who wanted to see Finland), Wittenberg would compete again at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and win the silver, becoming the first American wrestler to medal at successive Olympic Games since 1908. He would go on to become Yeshiva University’s first wrestling coach. Read the rest of this entry…

Maccabees Win Skyline Sportsmanship Trophy for Third Time in Five-Year History of Award

Yeshiva University has captured the Skyline Conference’s Sportsmanship Trophy for displaying outstanding team sportsmanship during the 2011-12 academic year.

Yeshiva University has won the Sportsmanship Trophy for the third time in five years.

The Skyline Conference instituted the Sportsmanship Trophy in 2007-08 to gauge team sportsmanship among its member schools. The Maccabees compiled 531 points out of a possible 710 points (9 sports), for an overall rating of .748.

“This award is so important because it shows that our student-athletes know how to represent themselves, the University and the Jewish People in a fiercely competitive yet fair, honest and respectful manner,” said Joe Bednarsh, director of athletics, physical education and recreation. “This is the most valued award for our department. We place it above all-star honors.” Read the rest of this entry…

Athletic Banquet Honors Student-Athletes Across 14 Varsity Sports

The annual Athletic Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening, May 9, in the Max Stern Athletic Center. More than 250 athletes, administrators and guests were present to celebrate the 14 2011-2012 athletic teams that Yeshiva sponsors. Attendees were treated to a night of special awards for their teammates along with the unveiling of a championship banner for the men’s cross country team, celebrating the school’s first ever back-to-back championship in any sport. Read the rest of this entry…

Men’s Basketball Coach Honored with Court-Naming Ceremony and Scholarship Fund

On Sunday, May 6, Yeshiva University’s Alumni Office celebrated the 40-year career of men’s basketball Coach Jonathan Halpert ‘62YUHS, ‘66YC, ‘78F with a court-naming ceremony in his honor at the Max Stern Athletic Center on the Wilf Campus. The event included the unveiling of Halpert’s signature on the men’s basketball court, a tribute video and the launch of the Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund, an endowment that will be awarded annually to children of YU alumni living in Israel wishing to study at the University.

Halpert, who took over the Maccabees roster in 1972, is the longest tenured men’s basketball coach in New York City history.  He was named coach of the year in the NCAA’s Skyline Conference twice, and at one point compiled a streak of 15 consecutive winning seasons.  Above all, Halpert has served as a role model for core Jewish values to three generations of Yeshiva University students. Read the rest of this entry…

Zach Charles Named to All-Conference Men’s Tennis Team for Fourth Consecutive Year

Yeshiva University Men’s Tennis standout Zach Charles was selected by the coaches of the Skyline Conference to the 7-man All Conference First Team, which was announced this morning by the league office. Charles makes his fourth appearance on the first team, an accomplishment that speaks to his talent and love for the game.

Zach had one his best season this year, which is not yet done, winning 7 of his 9 singles matches. His only losses this season at first singles came to First Team member Brendan Keeling of Purchase and the conference’s Player of the Year from Farmingdale, Justin Vijungco. In doubles play, Zach is currently 6-3, playing all matches in the first position. Yeshiva has one remaining match, against Sarah Lawrence, on May 2.

Zach has always played first doubles and first singles matches, and holds a career record of 21-12 in singles play and 18-16 in doubles play (not including matches that injuries forced him to retire from).  “Zach has been a critical part of the YU tennis program for the last four years”, said Men’s Tennis Coach Jeff Menaker.  “His legacy as a top singles player in the Skyline Conference will endure. It has been a pleasure coaching him these past two seasons.”

“It is an honor to be voted to the First Team all 4 years of my career”, said Chalres. “I really appreciate my opponents recognizing the work I’ve put in over the years. I also have to thank my coach, teammates and athletic staff for their help these years. It’s been a great ride and I am glad to leave on top.”

The All-Conference Team release can be viewed here. Get the latest Yeshiva University Athletics schedules, scores and news at www.yumacs.com.

YU to Honor Longtime Men’s Basketball Coach Jonathan Halpert with Court-Naming Ceremony, Scholarship Fund

Yeshiva University’s University’s Alumni Office will be celebrating the 40-year career of men’s basketball Coach Jonathan Halpert ’62YUHS, ’66YC, ’78F with a court-naming ceremony in his honor on May 6, 2012 at the Max Stern Athletic Center on YU’s Wilf Campus in Manhattan. The event will include the unveiling of Halpert’s signature on the men’s basketball court as well as the launch of the Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund, an endowment that will be awarded annually to children of YU alumni living in Israel wishing to study at the University.

Halpert, who took over the YU Maccabees roster in 1972, is the longest tenured men’s basketball coach in New York City history.  He was named coach of the year in the NCAA’s Skyline Conference twice, and at one point compiled a streak of 15 consecutive winning seasons.  Above all, Halpert has served as a role model for core Jewish values to three generations of Yeshiva University students.

“For four decades, Coach Halpert has imbued the Melvin J. Furst Gymnasium with the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and Jewish pride,” said President Richard M. Joel. “With this deserving honor, Coach Halpert’s example and leadership will inform the play and actions of the future scholar athletes of Yeshiva University for generations to come.”

Over the last 30 years, Halpert has visited Israel twice a year to recruit Israeli talent interested in representing Yeshiva University on the court while receiving a top-notch Torah and academic college education. The Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund was established under his guidance to benefit YU alumni who have immigrated to Israel.

“When I heard that YU wanted to mark this milestone in my tenure, I insisted that the celebration include the establishment of the scholarship fund,” said Halpert. “This grant is an expression of gratitude to Yeshiva University alumni who have made Aliyah and my way of ensuring that Israel’s future leaders obtain the tools they need to continue to build the Jewish State.”

Individuals interested in honoring Halpert’s significant contributions to YU and the Maccabees can contribute from anywhere in the world via the University website. Donors to the Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund will be recognized in the interactive display documenting the history of the Maccabees in the Max Stern Athletic Center and in an honorary book to be presented to Halpert later this year.