(boys) are making their first appear-
ance in Detroit as Maccabi sports.
"The whole magnitude of the event
is amazing with the number of ath-
letes, venues and volunteers that will
be involved," said Games Director
Beth Kellman, citing the more than
80 boys' basketball teams that will
participate.
Friedman, the Detroit delegation
head, got involved in Maccabi, like
many of the volunteers, because of
his children. His daughter, Emily,
played in six Maccabi sports from
1991-1994 and will coach girl's bas-
ketball this year. His son, Brad,
played soccer in 1996.
Friedman's role as softball coach in
1993 and 1994 turned into his cur-
rent position, which he's held since
1995.
The tryouts for Detroit's teams,
which began on March 1, have
brought more than 400 teen athletes
to the JCC to compete for spots on
the eight boys' teams, four girls'
teams and in 10 individual sports.
"We're looking for good kids who
can contribute to the teams, and the
selection will be as fair as possible,"
Friedman said. "It's a Jewish event
through athletics.
"So far, both individual and team
sports have gotten a great reception."
The $275 fee for each Detroit ath-
lete includes competition, uniforms,
transportation between venues and
the JCC, and activities Monday-
Thursday evenings.
"The kids don't have to be mem-
bers of the Center to be
part of the team,"
Friedman said. "They just
need to be willing to have
a good time. This is
something I wish I had
when I was a kid."
The tryouts are likely
to end before spring
break, according to
Friedman, with golf and
tennis tryouts starting
once weather permits.

Right: David Strauss
puts in a lay-up.

Bottom: Coach
Howard Golding
addresses prospective
basketball players.

. n ometown,
ue

•

LONNY GOLDSMITH
Staff Wiiter

Detroiters will
comprise 10
percent of this
summers
Maccabi athletes.

3/20
1998

12

mid the flurry of planning a
Jewish communal event for
3,000 athletes, coaches and
families, there comes a piece
of very good news: Unlike in the past,
Detroit doesn't need to pare down its
team; some 300 local teen athletes will
participate in this summer's JCC
Maccabi Games.
"When we've had to travel to other
cities for the Games, we had an allot-
ment of how many kids we could
bring," said Harold Friedman,
Detroit's delegation head. "Sending a
couple of teams eats up a delegation's
allotment. This rear, we finally get to
have the size team we'd like to bring to
other cities."
The Games will run from Aug. 16-
23 for 12- to 16-year-old boys and
girls.
With the Games in the backyard of

A

❑

much of the community, Detroit is
able to field several teams that have
been on hiatus. Detroit hasn't had
girls' basketball and racquetball since
1993, and bowling and chess since
1990. This will be the first time
Detroit has had a 12-14-year-old boys'
soccer team.
Dance (girls) and sand volleyball

With 2,700 visiting
athletes coming to
town in August, 1,300 host homes
will be needed. So far, close to 400
have been secured. To volunteer
your home, or for further ques-
tions about the Games, call Games
Director Beth Kellman at (248)
661-7722. For questions about
tryouts, call Harold Friedman at
(248) 855-8572.