The Yeshiva Athletic Department

Last Tuesday, Stan Watson cleaned up the gym after the last intramural game of the night. It was 1:30AM and Stan was clearly exhausted. Under the circumstances, exhaustion was clearly understandable. Stan had just finished refereeing his second game of the night, and had been at Yeshiva since around 1PM that afternoon. The day before, he had been at YU the entire day starting at 9:30AM and finishing at 1AM the following calendar day. Yet, despite his fatigue, Stan was sporting the smile that so many of us have grown accustomed to seeing.

Stan has good reason to smile. The dedication that he exhibits daily has earned him the respect of everyone at Yeshiva, as his work has helped the athletic department grow tremendously in his thirteen-year tenure.

Stan began working at Yeshiva in 1986 (October 25, 1986 at 7:30PM., he estimates). When Stan first arrived, the Max Stern Athletic Center did not resemble the center as we know it today. The Olympic size pool was not around and the area the pool now fills served as storage space until the pool's completion in 1995. Today in addition to the pool, the MSAC sports a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and locker room.

In the aquatic center, classes ranging from elementary swimming to scuba diving have been offered regularly. Lifeguards of the pool are Yeshiva students, certified by the athletic department. Many of the lifeguards obtained their training for certification through the lifeguarding course given on campus by Joe Bendnarsh. The pool is open from 3PM through 1AM Monday through Thursday, and during regular gym hours on Friday and Sunday.

Another structural change emerging during the Stan Watson era, is the addition of the downstairs classroom. The classroom serves as a home for seasonal sports, martial arts classes, and athletic teams wishing to show video of past performances. The basketball team also utilizes the classroom during half-time of their home matches.

The weight room, has been fully stocked and renovated, giving students a chance to get in shape. For anybody who may overdo it in the weight room or on the basketball court, the training room, has been recently stocked with the latest in physical training technology. Aaron Meyer, the proud purveyor of the facility, is the first full-time, fully certified trainer to work at Yeshiva.

Besides the aforementioned additions, YU has successfully maintained seven NCAA varsity athletic teams. They include basketball, tennis, volleyball, cross-country, fencing, golf, and wrestling. For those who are unable to compete in varsity competition, there are three intramural leagues: football, basketball, and softball. The game room provides Ping-Pong and bumper pool for the occasional quick sports fix in between classes. For those who believe that sports involvement should be limited to watching the game with chips and a drink, the large screen TV in the Rubin lounge is a great place to watch the game with the other 35 NY sports experts watching the game as well.

Whatever your preference, whatever your schedule, there is a sports regiment that can fit each and every Yeshiva student. The YU Athletic Department is proud to boast that it is currently better than ever, largely due to the efforts of Athletic Director Dr. Richard Zerneck, and our favorite thirteen-year veteran, Stan Watson.