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April 06, 2005
Seraphic Champions
Congratulations to the YULA (Yeshiva University High School Los Angeles) boys for winning the Red Sarachek Basketball Tournament. By now everyone in the Yeshiva high school world takes it for granted that YULA boys are a powerhouse basktball school. What's not as well known is that the YULA girls are also a supremely talented team. This year YULA girls were invited to their first yeshiva girls tournament in Boca Raton. The YULA girls walked away with the First Place Tournament Championship. People have asked me why the YULA kids are so good. Do we practice more out here in California? Do we have great gym facilities? In fact, YULA boys do not have a gym and the girls just have half a gym. No, the reason our kids are so good is actually quite simple. YULA girls and boys play their regular basketball season in a secular league where the competition is brutal. If yeshiva kids only play other yeshiva kids, well, no offence, but how many frum kids do you know who have gone pro, much less been recruited to college on a basketball scholarship? On top of the basketball wins, this past year the YULA delegation also won the Model UN in NY. As one YULA student slyly commented to me: "All the yeshivas really hate us now."
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at April 6, 2005 07:25 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Let's hear it for my old school.....proud graduate of YULA Class of 1982.
BTW...that year I played varsity baseball...and I can attest to the sparse conditions and tough competition. Our "home" field was Robertson Park across from the studio. Other schools had nice parks with real pitching mounds.
But it was fun and a great experience. My secular high school in Reseda, CA. produced major league pitcher Bret Saberhagen. So, as Robert pointed out, this young baal teshuvah would not have received much of a chance.
Since I have lost touch with many in LA it's great to see YULA doing so well.
Posted by: Lance at April 6, 2005 08:52 PM