SHAWN LIPMAN APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH OF MACCABI USA’S OPEN MEN’S RUGBY TEAM FOR THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, April 14th, 2016 – Maccabi USA has appointed Shawn Lipman as the Head Coach for the Open Men’s Rugby Team for the 20th World Maccabiah in Israel, July 6-17, 2017.
Lipman coached the elite USA squad to a Gold medal in 7’s and a Bronze medal in 15’s at the 2013 Maccabiah Games. He has also medaled as a player in five games and was Captain of the 1997 15th Maccabiah Games USA Gold Medal team where he was named overall tournament MVP. Shawn represented the U.S. National Team, the Eagles, from 1988 to 1991 including three matches during the 1991 World Cup. In 2004, Shawn was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame that includes athletes such as Mark Spitz and Sandy Koufax.
“Every Maccabiah Games is different and yet very much the same. It was a tremendous honor being a part of Team USA Rugby and experiencing this life-defining event with a new generation of athletes. It is truly something that words cannot describe,” say Lipman. “It was extraordinary to see how the Games impacted the lives of each member of Team USA Rugby. The recognition of themselves as Jewish athletes and the pride in representing their country was just the same as I felt in my first Games almost 30 years before.”
Maccabi USA Rugby is an elite Rugby program that has earned a medal at every World Maccabiah Games since Rugby was added in 1985 at the 12th Maccabiah Games. There are future Olympians, International and professional players on our squad, as well as some of the best club and collegiate players in the country. Notable Maccabi USA Rugby players include Eagles: Alec Gletzer, Shawn Lipman, Gary Puterman, Dallen Stanford, Kevin Swiryn, and Zack Test, as well as Hong Kong International, Stuart Krohn, and Tiger Rugby standout, Taylor Howden.
Maccabi USA is scheduled to compete in Rugby at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in the following age divisions: Juniors Boys, for those born 1999-2002, and Open Men, ages 18 and up. Applications for the Games are available online now at maccabiusa.com.
For more information, please contact Maccabi USA Program Director, Shane Carr, at scarr@maccabiusa.com or 215-561-6900, or Maccabi USA Rugby Chairman, David Rudzinsky, by email at drudzinsky@gmail.com. A video depicting the talent and training of the 19th Maccabiah USA Rugby Team can be found at https://youtu.be/dNYw3w1bgAQ.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.
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