sports » Old-School Coach won its division there last year, a first for the team, “and the kids were he clock is approaching 5:40 thrilled beyond belief,” Kaczander said. a.m., and Rick Kaczander is on Unfortunately, Farber wasn’t chosen the phone with a reporter. in an annual lottery to participate It’s the best time for him to be in the 2016 Yeshiva tournament, but interviewed that day because he has Kaczander hopes the team will travel basketball practice at 6 a.m. and family to play the Fuchs Mizrachi School in commitments later. Shaker Heights, Ohio, this Wait, basketball prac- season. tice at 6 a.m.? And it Kaczander was a member was a practice requested of the inaugural group of by the boys varsity bas- Michigan Jewish Sports ketball team he coaches Foundation Pillars of at Farber Hebrew Day Excellence Award win- School (formerly Akiva ners in 2012. Winners are Hebrew Day School) in honored at the foundation’s Southfield. annual Michigan Jewish The team practiced Sports Hall of Fame induc- the previous day, but it tion ceremony. Rick Kaczander was looking at three days “It’s a nice recognition. I without practice before certainly didn’t expect it,” it played an exhibition game against Kaczander said. school alumni. He was honored for his three “So a few of the guys texted me and decades as a high school basketball, asked to have a practice,” Kaczander football and softball coach and official said. “I said fine, but they’d better be at that include officiating league and the school by 5:55.” state championship games. Kaczander stepped down this year In addition, Kaczander was the state as athletic director at Farber after squash doubles champion and singles serving in that role since 2001. Matt runner-up in 1981, and he was the Gasparotto is now the A.D. Kaczander assistant coach and coach for medal- has coached the boys varsity basketball winning Detroit basketball teams team since 2011. He’s also coaching in the 1992 and 2005 JCC Maccabi the Farber girls varsity basketball team Games. this season. “The kids keep me young,” said MACCABI MEETINGS Kaczander, 66. “I’ve known most of the Here’s a final reminder that important boys and girls I’m coaching this year information meetings for prospec- since they were in kindergarten. I’ll tive Detroit athletes and artists and keep coaching on a year-to-year basis.” their parents for next summer’s JCC Coaching at a small private school Maccabi Games & ArtsFest will be held has its challenges, Kaczander admits. this month at the Jewish Community “Sometimes it’s difficult for the kids Center in West Bloomfield. to get to practice because they have Team sports meetings will be from other activities or they need to study,” 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, and 6-7 p.m. he said. “And there’s not a lot of gym Thursday, Dec. 15; individual sports time available. That’s why we’re prac- meetings will be from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, ticing at 6 o’clock in the morning.” Dec. 11, and 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. The advantages outweigh the chal- 15; ArtsFest meetings will be from 3-4 lenges. p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, and 8-9 p.m. “They’re good kids and I enjoy Thursday, Dec. 15. working with them even though they It’s necessary to attend just one want to play all the time in practice, meeting. Coaches will be there, tryout/ and I’m an old-school guy who wants audition schedules will be distributed to focus on basics and fundamentals,” and questions will be answered. he said. “Plus, everyone at the school Detroit will participate in Maccabi has accepted me and supported me Games held July 30-Aug. 4 in even though I’m not an Orthodox Jew.” Birmingham, Ala., and Aug. 6-11 in Farber plays basketball teams from Miami, Fla. ArtsFest will be in Miami. other private schools. For more information, call (248) A highlight most seasons for 432-5482 or send an email to the boys varsity team is Yeshiva jccmaccabi@jccdet.org. University’s Red Saracheck Basketball Tournament in New York City. Farber Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com. Steve Stein | Contributing Writer T * Hey Kids! Sponsored by Get your art supplies out and gather your favorite colors. It's the annual Chanukah Cover Art Contest! 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