NEW YORK, N.Y.— The Yeshiva University Department of Athletics is excited to announce that its men's soccer coach Joshua Pransky '10 has been selected to serve as head coach of the United States junior boys soccer team at the Pan American Maccabi games in Santiago, Chile from December 26, 2015 through January 5, 2016.
 
Pransky will coach highly skilled Jewish American boys between the ages of 15 and 16. He and Team USA will face the best Jewish soccer teams the Americas have to offer. In the last Pan American Maccabi games in 2011, there were 17 countries represented in the tournament.
 
"I am humbled to have this opportunity," said Pransky, "The USA teams before us have medaled in both of the last two tournaments, so we have big shoes to fill, and we are excited to do that.  It will be an honor to be a part of the Maccabi organization and we intend to represent the Jewish athletes of the USA with respect and integrity."
 
Pransky was selected to coach the team by USA's Pan American Maccabi Games Organizing Committee and their general chairman, Lou Moyerman.

Since taking over as head coach in 2013 (first as interim during the 2012 season), Pransky has already taken the Yeshiva University men's soccer team to uncharted waters. In 2014, he coached the Maccabees to a 10-7-1 overall record, Yeshiva's first record of over .500 in a season. Two of his players, Itamar Ben David and Aaron Braun, were named Skyline Conference first team All-Conference members, marking the first time in Yeshiva men's soccer history the program had two players earn All- Skyline Conference honors in the same season. In addition, Braun was named the Skyline Conference men's soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year for excellence on the pitch and in the classroom.  Pransky has had an All-Skyline selection on each of his teams the past three seasons (Leon Aboudi in 2012 and Ben David in 2013).
 
About the Maccabi Games
Sponsored by the Latin American Maccabi Confederation (CLAM), the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games is an international multi-sport event that is scheduled to be held from December 26, 2015 – January 5, 2016 in Santiago, Chile.

About Maccabi USA
Maccabi USA endeavors, through sports, 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. The volunteer organization seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.

For more information about the Maccabi USA, please visit their website at http://www.maccabiusa.com/