Star on the Field or Star of David

I feel like it’s not often that soccer and religion mix. Don’t get me wrong there are many, many great athletes who display their faith and use their faith on the field, but religion and sports are like the old oil and water analogy. There’s the sport you play on the field and then religion you practice off the field. For example As a Jew, when Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur roll around--right smack dab in the middle of my fall soccer season--I’m always scrambling to look at my calendar and make sure that the NCAA didn’t accidentally schedule any games during those days and that I’ve let my coaches know ahead of time that instead of attending practice I’ll be at synagogue attending services. Soccer is an incredibly important part of my life, but I would never skip out on a High Holy Day for a practice or a game. It’s a tough balance and I don’t think everyone would agree with me. (I bet Sandy Koufax would though)

I recently read an article that profiled Jewish Sky Blue FC midfielder Yael Averbuch. The article titled “Women’s Professional Soccer has a New Jewish Star” focused more on the future of the WPS than on Averbuch’s faith, but it did mention how, “Her mother, Gloria Averbuch even gave Yael and her sister, Shira, Hebrew names which undoubtedly stand out in a line-up.” And how, “It was reported that Yael avoided a Bat Mitzvah, which would have interfered with her rigorous training.” I was disappointed that the article didn’t probe further into that concept. I would’ve liked to have known how Averbuch’s faith played out in her sports career through college and now in WPS. For example, did she, like me attend services instead of practice in the fall or was it the other way around. Especially since the article was published in the Jewish Daily Forward I thought there would be more of a religion based kicked to it. Still I think it’s extremely important that the Jewish Daily Forward recognized Averbuch for her athletic achievements.

As I’ve taken a look around, especially at the WPS, I’m beginning to see more and more these days that religion and athletics are getting along.

Take for example Averbuch’s team Sky Blue FC, which recently hosted a Faith Day on July 19th. An innovative pilot idea, the day included a free concert (with purchase of a Sky Blue FC ticket of course) by acclaimed rock band, Justpassingthru, and guest speeches by Pastor Joe Cole the associate pastor of First Presbyterian of Red Bank and Pastor Rob Cruver of Zarephath Christian Church. Now, there is no doubt that the day was part of a marketing gimmick, as Sky Blue offered discounted tickets to the game to attract more fans, but it was interesting that they used religion to attract more fans to the soccer game.

“Sky Blue FC is offering discounted tickets so people can take advantage of this once-a-year Faith Day event that provides great family entertainment for fans of all ages,” said Gerry Marrone, General Manager of Sky Blue FC in an article on MyCentralJersey.com.

Even outside the WPS, the recent Maccabiah Games are a great example of mixing sports and faith. The games, which are similar to a form of Jewish Olympics, take place every four years in Israel and are open to any Israeli citizen or Jewish person who is non-Israeli. Athletes of all ages take part in events that differ each year ranging from field hockey to soccer. The recent Maccabiah Games, which just took place from July 12-July 23rd, were sponsored by Maccabi USA/Sports whose mission it is to, “enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.”

So, I still won’t ever skip out on a Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur service for a practice, but it’s good to know that there are other ways that soccer and religion are mixing.