MACCABI USA ANNOUNCES THE OPEN MEN’S RUGBY TEAM FOR THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, May 30, 2017 – Maccabi USA Rugby Chair Dave Rudzinsky along with Head Coach Shawn Lipman, is pleased to announce the Open Men’s Rugby Team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, which will take place July 4-18, 2017 in Israel. Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will be part of the 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports. Coach Lipman will be assisted by USA Rugby legend and 2016 Olympian, Zack Test and former USA Rugby 7’s and 15’s standout Kevin Swiryn has been named Team Captain.
The athletes are Alex Appel of Malden, MA, Mystic River Rugby Club; Aaron Blatt of Tarzana, CA, Santa Monica Rugby Club; Jack Braun of New York, NY, Dartmouth Rugby; Jared Braun of Redwood City, CA, Olympic Club; Seth Cohen New York, NY, NYAC; Shawn Cox of Austin, TX, Austin Huns; Chance Doyle of New Orleans, LA, NOLA; Howard Goldsmith of Chicago, IL, Westside Condors; Sam Harrison of Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado College; Benjamin Hirschman of Boulder, CO, University of Colorado; Devin Ibanez of Brookline, MA, Scarborough Rugby (UK); Isaac Katz of Philadelphia, PA, Philly Whitemarsh; Michael Korn of Vail, CO, New England College; Joseph Krassenstein of Los Angeles, CA, Santa Monica Rugby Club; Tanner Mohr of Davis, CA, Olympic Club; Derek Patick of Columbus, OH, Columbus Rugby; Devin Pearl of Buffalo, NY, Buffalo Rugby; Mason Pedersen of Long Beach, CA, Austin Huns; Samuel Rabb of Dallas, TX, Dallas Reds; Benjamin Rotstein of Denver, CO, Glendale Raptors; Michael Rudzinsky of Reading, MA, Mystic River Rugby Club; Matthew Sarna of Fair Lawn, NJ, Rocky Gorge; Spencer Sarver of Redwood City, CA, San Francisco Golden Gate; Chase Schor Haskin of Pembroke Pines, FL, St Thomas Aquinas; Zachary Strom of Denver, CO, Glendale Raptors; Kevin Swiryn of Seattle, WA, Seattle Saracens/USA Rugby; Tristan Sylk of Penn Valley, PA, Philly Whitemarsh; and Roman Wilson of Norman, OK, Oklahoma.
Since 1932, over 62,000 athletes have participated in the Maccabiah Games, in a celebration of Jewish Strength and Solidarity. Team USA’s success is not only measured by the medals won, but by the impact that the Maccabiah experience had on their lives as well as the friendships they formed.
Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition. We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community. Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.
For more information, please contact Maccabi USA Program Director Shane Carr at 215-561-6900 or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com.
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 all over the world 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 has been selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The nonprofit Organization becomes one of 35 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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