Athletes need funds to bring Maccabi experience home

By Toshio Suzuki

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With the last shot of her collegiate basketball career, Wendy Gabbe reached the scoring plateau of 1,000 points for her University of California-Irvine squad.

Three years later, the Eugene native and Mittleman Jewish Community Center sports coordinator, along with several others from the Portland area, is being recruited to represent the American Jewry in Argentina for the 11th annual Pan-American Maccabi Games this December.

For the past 75 years, the Maccabi and Maccabiah games have represented a unique opportunity for thousands of American athletes to compete at an international level for gold, silver and bronze in a number of different sports and age levels. The only catch is that sometimes, because of the approximately $4,700 commitment required from each athlete, the best of the best are unable to attend.

"She's a scorer, period," said former South Eugene High School teammate and current girls assistant coach Julia Barker. Barker and Gabbe teamed up in the Axemen backcourt to win a state championship their senior year, defeating highly touted and future WNBA center Kara Braxton of Westview High School along the way.

After being named most valuable player of the state tournament and after graduating with a 4.0, Gabbe had her pick of the elite conferences for college, turning down the likes of the Ivy League and the Pac-10 for the opportunity to play immediately—which the three-and-a-half-year starter did.

Once the final buzzer sounded, Gabbe and her jump-shooting legacy looked to be over. That is until she moved to Portland and the local director of Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel, sponsor of the United States team to the World Maccabiah Games, got wind of her scoring appetite.

Glen Coblens tried to recruit Gabbe straight out of university but for one reason or another, the Maccabi director, recruiter, fund-raiser, manager and women's basketball coach was unable to coax the 5'11" guard out of retirement. When Gabbe wound up working at the MJCC, Coblens, who also was actively involved in the complex's renovation, recognized the now 26-year-old and the courtship began anew.

Now, with a streak of three consecutive gold medals in competitions at Chile, Israel and Australia, Coblens wants Gabbe to be the centerpiece of his Pan-American team.

"I think Wendy, obviously she has great skills, is very talented, she's a great person; but the experience she'll have, she'll be able to bring back to the MJCC and be a role model for girls in Portland, and anywhere really," said Coblens.

The Maccabi USA mission statement is two-fold: First, to help Israel's continual development through physical education and sport; and secondly, to promote fitness among Jewish youth in the United States and Israel. These objectives are most often given a chance at fulfillment when American athletes have a Jewish experience with a Maccabi competition; and Coblens says there are others within Portland's Jewish community wanting an opportunity.

Coblens said he is aware of two potential accommodations managers, which help with all aspects of running an international event, one medical team member, one masters level athlete and several other 'open' level athletes that want to participate this December. Included in that list is MJCC Aquatics Coordinator David Tauber. The Sunset High School grad is an avid water polo player affiliated with numerous club teams at local universities. Unfortunately, for young professionals like Gabbe and Tauber, the prospect of the Maccabi games is most likely an unaffordable one.

"It's important that people recognize the costs," said Coblens who for years has tried to increase Portland participation in Maccabi events. "I think David and Wendy are perfect candidates for Portland support. They're two very positive young adults in the Jewish community."

For several years Coblens has also promoted the re-establishment of a Youth Maccabi program at the MJCC. The program existed several years ago, training community youths for regional competitions, hopefully leading to an opportunity to compete overseas.

The legendary Olympian Mark Spitz, gymnast Mitch Gaylord and NBA center Danny Schayes are all athletes that include Maccabi or Maccabiah Games experience on their resumes.

Coblens feels the "incredible professional development" Gabbe and Tauber would receive in Argentina—coupled with the resurgent facilities at the MJCC—has created a most opportune time for action.

"I'd love the opportunity to represent MJCC and the Portland Jewish community in participating in the Pan Am games," said Gabbe. "To continue to play the game I love and represent the Jewish community would be an honor."

Maccabi USA is a non-profit organization that is adept at raising funds, often doing so to benefit athletes from other countries. Maccabi's main focus, however, is to divvy its sponsorships to the most deserving of American athletes, and Coblens rarely asks them for special attention.

With the games being nine months away, Coblens would like to have his roster finalized by this summer, hopefully with Gabbe playing the two-guard.

"I've researched her and she's very talented; and she's doing a fantastic job (at the MJCC)," said the coach. "From what I understand, she can score."

If enough funds are collected, Coblens said there is a possibility that his U.S. team could schedule training camp in Portland, giving all local hoops fans the chance to see the U.S. team practice at the MJCC, including Gabbe's afore-mentioned ability to put the ball in the hoop.

Through an agreement with Maccabi USA's national office, donation checks written specifically for the Portland delegation made out to Maccabi USA can be sent to Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel at 1926 Arch St. 4R, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, with Glen Coblens written on the notation  or memo line.

For more information on the application process, as Coblens is always interested in new recruits, he can be reached at 503-223-7273 or glen@mowdaycoblens.com.