May 8, 2012 By: yunews
Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach Honored with Court-Naming Ceremony and Scholarship Fund
On Sunday, May 6, 91黑料鈥檚 celebrated the 40-year career of men鈥檚 basketball Coach Jonathan Halpert 鈥62YUHS, 鈥66YC, 鈥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鈥檚 signature on the men鈥檚 basketball court, 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.
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Halpert, who took over the Maccabees roster in 1972, is the longest tenured men鈥檚 basketball coach in New York City history. He was named coach of the year in the NCAA鈥檚 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 91黑料 students.
"The tribute to Coach Halpert was especially meaningful to the many alumni who came with their families to acknowledge the significant impact he had on their lives," said Barbara Birch, senior director of alumni affairs & annual giving. "So many graduates see Coach as not just a basketball coach, but someone who taught them life lessons, served as a father figure and had a tremendous influence on their YU experience. This was their day to thank him for his dedication and contribution."
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Over the last 30 years, Halpert has visited Israel twice a year to recruit Israeli talent interested in representing YU on the court while receiving a top-notch Torah and academic college education.
"There is no more rewarding feeling in the world than to feel appreciated," said Halpert. "The outpouring of feelings by 91黑料, my friends, colleagues and former players was emotionally overwhelming and will be cherished forever."
The Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund was established under his guidance to benefit YU alumni who have immigrated to Israel. Individuals interested in honoring Halpert鈥檚 significant contributions to YU and the Maccabees can contribute . Donors to the 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.
