When most Jews in our community think of the beginning of April, they think of Purim and Passover. However, West Orange native and Golda Och Academy (previously known as Solomom Schecter) alumnus Jacob Susskind’s thoughts turn to madness.
March Madness, that is. Jacob’s interest in March Madness (the nickname give to NCAA college basketball championship tournament) is not casual. Jacob is a senior at the University of Maryland and has been a walk-on member of the varsity basketball team for four years. The Terrapins have been a top 25 team all season and are fourth seeded in the NCAA men’s Midwest regional tournament.
A Walk-On
While the stars of the team get the attention and accolades, Jacob knows the value of his role. “I help the guys in the rotation get better and be ready for games. I learn the other team’s plays and execute them in practice,” says Jacob. He does all this hard work for little recognition. Far from disappointed, Jacob knows and is proud of his contribution. Along with these skills, a walk-on needs to be smart, likable, dedicated and easy to work with to have a chance to make a team.
The Beginning
Jacob was so young when he got into basketball he doesn’t even remember his exact age. He does remember his dad’s influence. Jacob loved playing basketball and the fact that he was taller (he’s since grown to 6-5) than everyone else helped his game. However, he didn’t know he was good until he reached his teenage years. “When I was in middle school, I developed some skills and started getting better.” While Golda Och Academy is not exactly a breeding ground for top-level basketball players (one graduate played JV at the University of Pennsylvania, and another played at Division III Ithaca), there was great opportunity at the school.
That opportunity came in the form of Golda Och Coach Sandy Pyonin. Coach Pyonin is also a coach of the New Jersey Roadrunners, an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball team. Pyonin’s AAU teams have won three national and 70 state championships. More than 300 players from the Road Runners went on to play Division I college basketball and over 30 players have made it to the NBA, including Kyrie Irving. Jacob was a member of the AAU team and credits Sandy with helping him develop his game.
Jacob had aspirations of being a starter on a college team. During his junior year, he received letters of interest from schools in the Ivy League and Patriot League. But then injuries struck; going into his senior year, Jacob tore a ligament in his lower back. Suddenly, the only interest he received was from Division III colleges. Later, Jacob tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and recruitment stopped altogether.
Opportunity
“I wasn’t planning on playing at all,” says Jacob after he sustained the injuries. He applied to Maryland because he liked the school, which includes a large Jewish population. Jacob was convinced that basketball was in the rear view mirror, but his brother suggested otherwise. “He encouraged me to try out for the team. He said I had nothing to lose.”
Jacob’s timing could not have been better. That year Maryland had a new basketball coach, Marc Turgeon. The team only had eight scholarship players, and they needed more. Jacob was one of five walk-ons who made the team that year. By his sophomore season, Jacob was feeling healthier and confident. So, when Coach Turgeon told him he would not be on the team that season due to an influx of players, Jacob was shocked and disappointed. However, players ended up transferring, and the coach said he was back on team. “I was so happy. A weight was lifted.”
As his senior year is winding down, Jacob recognizes all he has gotten from being part of the team. “I’ve dealt with a lot of ups and downs, and it’s helped me grow as a person.” Jacob adds that he has been pushed to the extremes emotionally and physically. Despite the demands that come from being part of a Division One basketball program, Jacob will graduate on time with a double major in Accounting and Finance. He says because of this schedule, “My work ethic and punctuality are unbelievable.”
Beyond the court, Jacob has been challenged Judaically. Growing up, Jacob and his family celebrated Shabbat every Friday night and often attended Congregation Etz Chaim in Livingston. “It’s been difficult to celebrate like I did growing up.” Jacob gave an example of when the team was in Alabama during Passover. While having to make some allowances to his religious practice, Jacob still feels a strong tie to religion. He says, “I still rely on my Judaism to save me as a person.” He remains connected to Judaism though joining the Jewish fraternity AEPi and by attending events at both the campus Hillel and Chabad house. Jacob’s mother, Shari-Beth says, “His father and I are so proud of everything he has accomplished academically and athletically. All this while, he continues his connection to Judaism.”
Being the only Jewish player on the team has been interesting, according to Jacob. He has had occasional conversations about religious topics including kashrus. This doesn’t surprise him. “I’m the first Jew that some of my teammates ever had any kind of relationship with.” Jacob doesn’t mind answering his teammates’ questions. He feels a great bond with them based on all they have gone through together. “Religion is another thing we can learn about from each other.”
Over the course of his college basketball career, Jacob has appeared in approximately 20 games. While he would love to appear in more, he dreams of walking off the court victoriously on Monday, April 6, the day of the NCAA basketball championship game. Jacob can celebrate the victory with a box of matzoh as Passover falls out in the same week.
By Larry Bernstein
