KICKBALL LEAGUE PARTY—Ryan Panitz, left, Israel Gershkovich and Lindsay Kohn hang out at the party held at the Moishe House after each kickball game. Gershkovich displays one of the cigars provided in honor of the league’s namesake Adam Ross, who liked to have a good cigar after sports.

Kickball league memorializes Ross

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2008-10-15T00:00:00

The Adam Ross Memorial Jewish Coed Kickball League for young adults finishes its first season with playoffs Oct. 16.
 
“Since Adam passed away, I wanted to honor his memory in some way and thought something involving sports, competition, hanging out and having fun was a great way to do that,” said organizer Jodi Berris.
 
Ross died in January 2008 at age 36 from melanoma.  Ross grew up in Long Island, N.Y. and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. During his last year at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Ross was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. After one year off for surgery and therapy, he completed his residency in otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania.

He moved to Portland to complete complete a fellowship at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Facial Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery. 
 
“He loved Oregon, spent time skiing at Mt. Hood, visited local wineries, and had many friends and acquaintances here,” said Berris.
 
“Adam was an outstanding scholar, athlete, human being, son and husband,” said his wife Melissa Ross.
 
“He participated in almost every sport, with a particular love for tennis, hockey, skiing and especially golf,” said Berris’s step-father Herb Lantor, who donated the t-shirts for league participants.
 
He survived for 11 years with multiple recurrences and treatments.
 
During his short life he was able to help many patients with reconstructive facial surgery as the Director of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. 
 
“I’ve gotten a bunch of e-mails from Adam’s family and friends saying how touched they were and asking how they can support this and help continue keeping this league going in his name, said Berris, adding she does plan to make it part of the regular rotation of sports leagues hosted by Moishe House.
 
The first league sold out with 40 young adults playing a modified kickball game in the gym of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Following games, participants congregate at the Moishe House to socialize.
 
For information on future sports leagues, contact Berris at jodiberris@aol.com.