In the tournament founded by his father, legendary YU coach Johnny Halpert, Rafi Halpert played for the MTA Lions in 1999 and 2000, winning a championship as a junior. He has now coached SAR in 8 tournament appearances, winning another title in 2011, becoming the first person to win the tournament as a player and coach. His son, Ari, is a junior for SAR at this year’s tournament.
Watching and coaching my son in the Saracheck Tournament will be a truly special moment for me and my family.
Over 30 years ago, my father founded this tournament to honor his mentor, the great Red Saracheck, and to provide Yeshiva high school student-athletes the opportunity to have their own 'March Madness' moment. For my father to now watch his grandson participate and experience the same moment that he enabled so many others to have is priceless.
I would also note that I think this year’s tournament will be extra special for both my father and me. In past tournaments my father has had the pleasure of watching multiple grandchildren defend, pass and shoot in the Max Stern Athletic Center and for over 15 years my father has been able to watch me coach on this same court on which he coached for so many years.
But this year, to be able to watch his son coach his grandson on the court which bears his name, during the tournament which he poured so much blood, sweat and tears into to tease into existence that will be very special for him and very special for me to be a part of that legacy.
I can only hope that many other Yeshiva high school athletes will be able to continue this tradition for many years to come. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to YU, Rabbi Lamm, Bernard Mann, Moish Kranzler, Jon Bandler, and my father for establishing this incredible tournament, which has allowed thousands of teens to have their special moment. I also want to thank the current YU staff and Rabbi Berman for their tireless efforts in organizing this great tournament and for keeping the tradition alive.