The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Max Kops as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The RKYHS soccer star won top performer in the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Yeshiva Boys Soccer Tournament last month. When asked about Kops, Rabbi Richard Kirsch, RKYHS AD, told the JLNJ, “Max happens to be one of the most gifted soccer players to come our way in many years. The combination of his outstanding athleticism along with his natural abilities make him a very tough opponent to other teams. We are excited for the future of our program in the years to come.”
We had the privilege of getting to know Max a little better:
Max who are your role models?
My role models are my Mom and Dad. My Mom teaches me persistence, optimism and perseverance (POP) which are attributes she learnt from her father. She is a professional figure skating coach and wakes up at 5:45 a.m. six days a week to take my sister Hailey skating, and coaching her students. She also taught me and my three brothers how to skate.
My Dad is also my role model because he keeps me focused, takes me to my games and teaches me the importance of hard work and dedication in order to accomplish my goals, as well as, how to be a well-rounded Jewish athlete and young adult.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Carles Puyol, Barcelona Football Club. He would stay after practice and continue training to improve his skills. He never gave up and that attitude made him an amazing player and the captain of Barcelona.
What is your pregame routine?
Listen to music, stretch, and visualize what I am going to do during the game.
What is your earliest sport memory?
My Dad and I went to an ice hockey tournament in Lake Placid. We faced the best team in our division, the Princeton Tigers. We had lost every match to them and needed to beat them in order to advance to the championship game. I scored a goal with.06 seconds left on the clock to put it into a shoot-out. We ended up winning the game and then the championship.
What is your favorite sports memory?
When I was 13, I went to Barcelona for the summer to train with some of the best coaches in the world. I was able to experience soccer with players throughout the world on a level that has made me a better player. My hope is to go back to Barcelona in the future as a more advanced player.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Watching soccer and football. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends, training with my siblings, and going to Camp Lavi.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The best part about being a Sportstar is playing team sports. My Dad’s close friend Mike Dube always stresses that there is no “I” in team. Winning or losing doesn’t really matter as much as sharing the experience with my teammates and having a great time playing the game.
Great job Max.
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
