TRAVIS WARECH WILL COMPETE FOR GOLD AT THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, June 5, 2017 – Travis Warech, three-time alumnus of Maccabi USA, is looking forward to participating in the 20th World Maccabiah Games. The Games will take place July 4-18 in Israel. Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will join the 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports.
His first Maccabi experience was at the 2005 JCC Games in Richmond, VA. Coming in 4th place and breaking his hand, he was sidelined for the week-long competition. Even though he was unable to compete, he recalls having “such an enjoyable week” hanging out with other Jewish athletes; it was a real testament to how great the Games could be. Two JCC gold medal games later, he qualified as a member of Maccabi USA, competing in the 2007 Pan-American Maccabi Games in Argentina, the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and the 2015 European Games in Berlin, Germany.
Since starting a professional basketball career straight out of college in 2013, Travis has been longing to return to the Magic of the Maccabiah Games. He is excited to reconnect with old friends and teammates, tour Israel, and bring back gold, as the Youth Team came up short in 2009, “my #1 goal is a goal medal, but I am certainly looking forward to new adventures in the Holy Land with my soon to be teammates/Maccabi Family” said Travis.
Travis has been playing professionally for 4 years – 2 years in Germany’s Pro-A (2nd Division) and 2 years in Germany’s BBL (1st Division). He hopes to continue his professional career in Israel. He notes that his professional career is not very comparable to his experiences at the Maccabiah Games as a typical European basketball season is usually 10 months long and the Maccabiah Games are between 2-3 weeks. However, “the impressive stat here is that the relationships from the Maccabiah Games are just as important to me as those I make throughout an entire season abroad” said Travis.
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.
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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