The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Nathan Demby as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The third grader at Yavneh Academy was one of the few third graders on a mostly fourth grade TBO 10U Travel championship team and led the Bergen County Flag Football Dolphins to the playoffs with pinpoint accuracy at quarterback. When asked about Nathan, his father and coach Jason Demby told The Jewish Link, “As Nathan’s father and baseball and football coach I was so proud to hear he was nominated for Sportstar of the Week! It has been amazing to coach Nathan on our BCFL 2/3 Dolphins teams, the BBO Lake Como Pizza Pie-thons, and the TBO 10U travel team where we completed an amazing undefeated championship season! Nathan is a natural athlete and has endless energy to play everything. While Nathan loves to win, the most important thing to him is having fun and playing on a team with his friends. Nathan loves to be at the center of the action as a pitcher, infielder, quarterback and defensive back ready to intercept passes. My proudest moment for Nathan was when he initially didn’t make the 8u TBO travel team after his tryout and was selected as an alternate. While Nathan was disappointed, he wanted to stick with it and after a few pre-season practices to show his skills he made the team. I’ll always remember the look of surprise and happiness on his face when he was put into the starting lineup, had an RBI single and struck out four batters in the first game of the season! Nathan ended up being one of the team’s top pitchers, hitters and fielders.”
Bergen County Flag Football League Co-Commissioner Steve Gutlove added, “While there is no questioning Nathan’s on the field ability it is his midos that truly set him apart as a sportstar. Win or loss, he is always the ultimate teammate trying to put his teammates in position to succeed. His level of sportsmanship are both a testament to Nathan’s nature and the values that his parents have instilled in him and his sisters.” Gutlove’s comments were echoed by an observer who shared, “Nathan is always smiling and has a very lovely midot. Instilling good midot in their children just might be one of the most important things to his parents—and so far they have done an excellent job. Jackie and Jason are very ‘under the radar’ people who are just content to be a part of the community and help wherever they can. They are not chasing honor or looking to be the center of it all. They just show up, help out and teach the kids how to be good and good-hearted players—which is definitely not an easy thing.”
Nathan, congrats on the championship and on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who are your role models and why?
My family because they always come to my games and support me. I like to go support my sisters Daniella and Sarah at their basketball games.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sports are football and baseball because I like being quarterback and I like playing shortstop and pitching. I also like playing football and baseball because my dad is my coach.
What is your pregame routine?
I like to listen to “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen before all of my practices and games.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
In BCFL I threw a long touchdown pass on the first play of the game to my teammate and friend Jonah Levenbrown.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Francisco Lindor because he is the shortstop on my favorite team (Let’s go, Mets!) and is always smiling! I like him so much I wear his number 12. I also like Jaylen Waddle because he is a fast wide receiver on my favorite team and does the Waddle touchdown dance!!!
What is your earliest sports memory?
In my first Yavneh Fun Run in kindergarten, I ran a mile in 9:38 and was the fastest in my grade.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
In 10U travel baseball, I was hit by pitches in my first three at-bats of the season.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
I like to play with my friends and help my parents.
What is your favorite sports memory?
When my 10U baseball teammate David Wilbur hit a home run in the bottom of the last inning to win the championship game!
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Being famous! It’s exciting to be in the newspaper!
The Humble Toast Star of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
