Philadelphia, PA, December 17 – Carl Goldstein, USA Open Women’s Basketball Chairman, is thrilled to announce the appointment the USA Open Women’s Basketball team competing at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 2013. The team will be coached by Jamie Shadian, of Northern Arizona University and will be assisted by Lisa Fischman and Jacquelyn Pearl.
“We will have 12 very talented players representing the USA Open Women’s Basketball team and our expectations are to reclaim the gold medal we won in 2005,” Coach Shadian said. “What I hope the players accomplish off the court is to connect to their Jewish culture and heritage and that is as important as our on-court success.”
The team consists of a powerful group of young women represented by athletes and alumni of nine Division I schools and other great collegiate basketball programs. Team members include: Alyssa Baron of Miami, FL; Lauren Battista of N. Easton, MA; Sophia Bikofsky of Newton, MA; Alexandra Cohen of Bayside, WI; Dannielle Diamant of Las Vegas, NV; Lexie Gerson of Charlottesville, VA; Jacqueline Kalin of Cedar Falls, IA; Jaclyn Kates of Colts Neck, NJ; Chloe Rothman of North Andover, MA; Yuni Sher of Poughkeepsie, NY; Annette Snow of Manalapan, NJ; and Arron Zimmerman of Wayside, NJ.
The colleges and universities they represent are American University, Bentley University, Brown University, Lafayette College, Merrimack University, Northwestern University, University of Northern Iowa, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Virginia.
This very talented group of young women represents their sport at an extraordinary level. Jacqueline Kalin is a Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year; Alyssa Brown was an Ivy League Freshman of the Year in 2012; and Lexie Gerson is an ACC All Defensive Team member.
“After a week of training the team will participate in the ISRAEL CONNECT cultural and educational program prior to the Games commencing,” Coach Shadian continued. “We will have guided tours every day after practice that will allow us to explore the country. Regardless of their prior experiences, I hope each player will walk away from the Games with a new understanding, respect and love for Israel. Coaching in the Maccabiah Games combines my two greatest passions: Coaching Basketball and Israel. It is an honor to represent your country and to coach some of the best talent in the USA.”
For more information about the Maccabiah Games or to schedule an interview with one of our athletes, please contact Sara Feinstein at 215.561.6900 x119.
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, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, 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.