Rhode Island Athlete To Play For U.S.

RHODE ISLAND ATHLETE TO REPRESENT THE U.S. AT THE 17TH MACCABIAH GAMES IN ISRAEL

Dan Gertsacov of Narragansett, RI has been named to the United States Maccabiah Rugby Team that will compete at the 17th World Maccabiah Games taking place this July, in Israel. The Rugby team will be one of the 27 United States sports teams competing at these Games; among the world’s largest international, Olympic-style events, according to Jordan Weinstein, General Chairman of the US Maccabiah Committee.

Gertsacov is no stranger to top-level rugby competition. Dan currently plays for New York Old Blue in Manhattan, one of the premier rugby clubs in the United States. Formerly, he played with one of Rhode Island’s top clubs, Newport Rugby Football Club, as well as internationally for first division teams in Brazil and Chile. Gertsacov recently graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he captained the rugby club, and has a BA from the University of Richmond, where he first started playing rugby and went on to become the team’s two-time Captain. Gertsacov is employed as a Vice President at Univision Networks and resides in New York City.

Over 7,000 athletes representing more than 60 countries will take part in the 17th edition of the Maccabiah, a quadrennial athletic competition for Jewish athletes. The United States is expecting to send a contingent of “more than 600 athletes and coaches,” reported Weinstein.

"The leadership of participating countries has pledged to make the 17th Maccabiah the biggest and best ever. Maccabi USA is planning to assemble the largest US Maccabiah team in history. We believe that NOW, MORE THAN EVER, Israel needs our support!" Weinstein said.


Previously, the U.S. Maccabiah Team has included such sports greats as swimmers Mark Spitz and Lenny Krayzelburg, gymnasts Mitch Gaylord and Kerri Strug, National Basketball Association stars Ernie Grunfeld, Dolph Schayes and Danny Schayes, golfer Bruce Fleisher, tennis pros Brad Gilbert and Dick Savitt and World Cup soccer player Jeff Agoos.


Team USA will consist of teams competing in Badminton, Baseball (Boys), Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Fencing, Field Hockey (Women), Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon, Judo, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, Rugby (Men), Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo (Men) and Wrestling (Men)


Opening ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv, and closing ceremonies will take place at the Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem.


“Our formula remains consistent,” Jordan Weinstein said. “Sports is the attraction. The Land of Israel is the vehicle. Jewish continuity is our primary goal.”


“It is a great honor for me to represent my country, as well as the state of Rhode Island, on the rugby field in Israel,” Gertsacov said. “It will be a tough two weeks of competition, against top squads from South Africa, Australia, England and other top rugby nations, but with the support of my team and my family who will be over there to cheer us on, I’ll do everything I can to help our team bring home that Gold Medal.”


The U.S. Maccabiah Team is sponsored by Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel. Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel is a national, not-for-profit, volunteer organization that seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the U.S., Israel and throughout the Diaspora through cultural, athletic and educational programs.


For more information about the Maccabiah Games, visit the Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel website at www.maccabiusa.com or call the Maccabiah Games hotline at 215/561-6181, fax to 215/561-5470, send e-mail to maccabi@maccabiusa.com



To arrange for photographs or interviews, contact Becca or Ami at the Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel office at 215/561-6900 or by e-mail to bschwartz@maccabiusa.com or amonson@maccabiusa.com