Howard Fisher Selected to Coach Team USA at 20th World Maccabiah Games

Brian Seitz, Youth Men's Basketball Chairman of the USA Organizing Committee for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, has appointed Howard Fisher as the Head Coach for the Youth Men's Basketball team for Team USA.

Fisher, College of the Canyons men's basketball head coach, will lead a team of 12 athletes to compete in Israel, July 4-17, 2017.

The World Maccabiah Games are the world's third largest international sporting event, with over 9,000 total participants representing over 75 nations. In 2013 at the 19th World Maccabiah Games, the Youth Men's Basketball won the gold medal.

"With my new role as Chairman of the Youth Men's Basketball team, I am both thrilled and inspired to be part of Maccabi USA," said Seitz. "Together with Coach Fisher, I look forward to recruiting a team that will not only represent the United States, but also embrace their Jewish culture and obtain a stronger connection to the State of Israel."

No stranger to Maccabi USA, Fisher was the Head Coach of Team USA's Open Men's Basketball teams at the 2006 Maccabi Australia International Games and the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in 2007, winning a bronze and silver medal, respectively.

The 20th World Maccabiah Games will be the first Maccabiah Games for Fisher, although he helped run Basketball tryouts prior to the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 18th World Maccabiah Games.

"I am honored to have been selected by Maccabi USA as the Youth Men's Basketball coach for the 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel," said Fisher. "My excitement to coach in Israel is fueled by the previous experiences I had and the relationships developed as a basketball coach at the Maccabi Australia International Games in 2006 and the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in 2007 in Buenos Aires, Argentina."

Fisher has had a lifelong involvement in basketball, beginning with a collegiate career at Pierce College, and then attending Whittier College. After graduation, he played overseas as a member of an all-star team that traveled to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Fisher joined College of the Canyons as an Assistant Coach in 1989, then was promoted to Head Coach in 2000. His teams won back-to-back Western State Conference, South Division Championships in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2013. He also earned WSC Coach of the Year honors during those seasons.

Coach Fisher is also the current President of the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association.

Maccabi USA is recruiting male basketball players to compete on the Youth Men's Basketball team at the 20th World Maccabiah Games, for those born 1999-2000. For tryout information and applications for the Games, please visit www.maccabiusa.com.

Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition. The organization connects athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community. The combined 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 the world over 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 is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The organization is one of 38 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.

For more information, please contact Program Director, Shane Carr, at (215) 561-6900 x4147, or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com.