PITTSBURGH, Pa. – JULY 16, 2020 – First-year head men's ice hockey coach Michael Gershon has been named head coach of the Open Team USA at the 2022 Maccabiah Games. The 21^st Games are set to take place July 12-26, 2022 in Israel.
 
Gershon, who came to Chatham from a successful four-year career as an assistant coach with Division I Robert Morris University, looks to bring his talents to the Open Team USA.
 
"It is an honor to be named head coach for Team USA Men's Ice Hockey at the 21^st Maccabiah Games," said Gershon. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the United States in Israel. These games will bring people together from 85 different countries to showcase their talents as well as their religious and national pride."
 
Gershon, a Sparta, NJ native, played his own career as a defenseman at SUNY-Brockport, graduating in 2009 before playing professionally in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). He then became a head coach, general manager, and president of several teams in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), finishing with an overall win percentage of .595 and a league title.
 
Maccabi USA, a not-for-profit organization, endeavors to perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds, and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity through sports. The volunteer organization seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and the Diaspora through athletic and educational programs.
 
The Maccabiah Games is the world's largest Jewish Athletic Competition, which started in 1932 and takes place every four years in Israel. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games in Israel and other competitions worldwide.
 
"I am excited to go to Israel with a group of Jewish Americans and try to be the first USA team to win a gold medal at the Maccabiah Games," shared Gershon. "Team USA won a silver medal last time and I know that in two years, our goal will be to bring back a gold medal. For most of us, this will be the only time we ever get to put on a Team USA jersey. That is an honor that can never be taken away."