The Jewish Link would like to recognize 13-year-old Noah Greenspan as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The rising eighth grader at the Yavneh Academy is an all-around athlete. He has spent many years playing in TBO baseball and Teaneck’s FC travel soccer team. Noah’s coach and FC Teaneck Director of Coaching Tim Serbe told the JL, “I have had the opportunity to work with Noah for the last few years. Noah is one of my favorite players to coach and watch, not only because of the magic he creates on the field, but because of his excitement and enthusiasm when playing. His desire to be the best he can possibly be makes coaching Noah so much fun.”
Noah, Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah this week and congratulations on being recognized as Sportstar of the Week. Who is your role model and why?
My role models are my parents who always encourage me to do better. It also is special that they come to all of my games and cheer me on.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is soccer because it feels really good when you get a goal. I am amazed that soccer is not that popular in America because it is such an exciting and fun sport.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest sports accomplishment is when my Teaneck FC travel soccer team was in the championship and there was one minute left in the game with the game tied, and I scored the final goal with very little time left in the game to put us ahead.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athletes are either Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Khalil Mack. I like Ronaldo and Messi because they are really good at soccer, which inspires me to try to play as well as I possibly can. I like Khalil Mack because he is extremely strong and the entire Bears defense seemed to get better when he joined them.
What is your pregame routine?
My pregame routine is usually shooting on the goal keeper and doing long passes with my teammates.
What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest sports memory is doing Super Soccer Stars at 3 years old in Central Park when I lived in New York City.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
My weirdest sports memory occurred in 2020 TBO baseball. A week before the season started, I injured my hand from a bike riding accident and needed X-rays to make sure it wasn’t broken. On opening day of TBO I felt OK enough to play and my coach selected me to pitch the first inning. I wasn’t even sure I could throw the ball straight and ended up getting five strikeouts in the first two innings.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite sports memory was when I scored nine goals in one soccer game at Camp Regesh.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
When I am not playing sports, I like to play to enjoy time at home with my family. We play lots of fun games including Settlers of Catan and my new quarantine favorite, Risk.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The best thing about being a Sportstar is that you are being recognized for the sport that you are very good at.
The Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift certificate to any Teaneck restaurant of their choice. Please contact Moshe Kinderlehrer at 201-371-3212 to receive a certificate. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
