It could be a valuable line on his resume and maybe even an opportunity for recruiting. But coaching Team USA at the World Maccabiah Games means more than that to Adam Ginsburg.
On Thursday, the UMass assistant men’s basketball coach was officially named the head coach of the American team that will compete in Israel in July 2017.
The Maccabiah Games are a multi-sport competition among Jewish athletes from all over the world. It’s held every four years. The 2013 edition drew 9,000 athletes.
Ginsburg will coach the 15-16 junior team.
“It’s an honor to represent your country and an honor to represent your religion,” Ginsburg said. “I’ve never been to Israel. To experience that is terrific.”
UMass coach Derek Kellogg thought it would be a good experience for his assistant.
“He’s really excited and I’m excited for him. It gives him a chance to represent a country in big games abroad and gives him some head coaching experience and the chance to run his own team and program for a period of time,” Kellogg said. “I think that will help him reach his dreams and goals of being a Division I head coach.”
Kellogg thought Ginsburg would do well.
“Adam is a really good assistant coach. He goes about his business and does things the right way. This will give him an opportunity to run his own show for a little while and put his own stamp on a team,” he said. “Adam has a nice repertoire of skills that’s going to translate very nicely into running his own program.”
Ginsburg thought this could be valuable to his career.
“Professionally to have the chance to meet a bunch of different people and have a chance to sit in the head coach seat. Ultimately that’s a goal of mine. To have that chance, that’s really good,” Ginsburg said.
UMass director of basketball operations Matt Vogel will serve as Ginsburg’s assistant coach. Vogel, a former student manager, and Ginsburg have been with the Minutemen since Travis Ford’s tenure
“I’ve seen him go from being a student manager into different graduate positions,” Ginsburg said. “I’ve said in the back of my mind, if I do ever get a chance, I want Matt to do it with me. I think it’ll be great for him because he has aspirations to coach.”
Ginsburg had previously played and coached in regional Maccabiah competitions.
To build his roster, Ginsburg will help lead two tryout camps in August — one in Los Angeles and one in Philadelphia.
The team will go to Israel in late June and spend a week practicing and touring the country. The games run from July 4-17.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage