2008 Woodie Awards
Joe Bednarsh Named Acting Athletic Director
Nachum Rybak
Issue date: 8/31/05 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After months of an unsuccessful search to find a replacement for outgoing Athletic Director Jonny Halpert, the Office of Student Affairs has temporarily appointed Assistant Athletic Director, Joe Bednarsh, to fill Dr. Halpert's position. While Mr. Bednarsh will serve as Acting Athletic Director, the search for Dr. Halpert's successor will continue.
Yeshiva's administration has known of their need for a new Athletic Director since this past January when Halpert informed Dean of Students Efrem Nulman that he would not return for the 2005-2006 academic year. Since that time, Yeshiva has been actively searching for his replacement by advertising in NCAA publications and by reaching out to numerous athletic directors in other universities.
According to Dean Nulman, who is spearheading the search along with Stern College Dean Karen Bacon, University Dean of Students David Himber, and Associate Dean of Students Zelda Braun, Yeshiva is looking for an individual with experience on the college level who has successfully run Division III programs in the past. Yeshiva, according to Nulman, seeks "a top-flight professional" and "won't jump into anything. We'll be thoughtful about it." While there is no timetable to finding the right candidate, Nulman hopes that the situation will be resolved by the end of the coming academic year.
When offered the interim position in June, Bednarsh was "surprised, but very happy to accept." While still "feeling the position out," he is familiar with the programs and the institution as a whole. He has worked for Yeshiva in the Athletic Department since 1991, his senior year in the high school MTA, when he served as a lifeguard. Since then, he has worked his way up the Yeshiva administrative ladder, holding the positions of Head Lifeguard, Director of Aquatics, Swimming Instructor, Assistant to the Athletic Director, and most recently, Assistant Athletic Director.
As Acting Athletic Director, Bednarsh's focus will shift from the day-to-day supervision of athletic programs to broader administrative responsibilities, such as attending faculty meetings and tending to the Athletics budget.
Bednarsh hopes to continue the progress that the department has made in the past year, which includes an expansion of the fitness center and a refurbishment of the gym floor to allow for the playing of two volleyball games simultaneously.
In the spirit of progress, Bednarsh is proud to announce that the department is sponsoring a men's varsity baseball team which will play in the CUNY Conference. The team is expected to play in 15 inter-college games this year. Norman Ringel, who coached the team when it was at club-level, will serve as head coach and will be assisted by Howard Blitz, the athletic director of Taft High School.
According to Bednarsh, "It is always really exciting to add new varsity teams, and baseball in particular, because it has been the most requested team. We're glad we can help them."
Yeshiva's administration has known of their need for a new Athletic Director since this past January when Halpert informed Dean of Students Efrem Nulman that he would not return for the 2005-2006 academic year. Since that time, Yeshiva has been actively searching for his replacement by advertising in NCAA publications and by reaching out to numerous athletic directors in other universities.
According to Dean Nulman, who is spearheading the search along with Stern College Dean Karen Bacon, University Dean of Students David Himber, and Associate Dean of Students Zelda Braun, Yeshiva is looking for an individual with experience on the college level who has successfully run Division III programs in the past. Yeshiva, according to Nulman, seeks "a top-flight professional" and "won't jump into anything. We'll be thoughtful about it." While there is no timetable to finding the right candidate, Nulman hopes that the situation will be resolved by the end of the coming academic year.
When offered the interim position in June, Bednarsh was "surprised, but very happy to accept." While still "feeling the position out," he is familiar with the programs and the institution as a whole. He has worked for Yeshiva in the Athletic Department since 1991, his senior year in the high school MTA, when he served as a lifeguard. Since then, he has worked his way up the Yeshiva administrative ladder, holding the positions of Head Lifeguard, Director of Aquatics, Swimming Instructor, Assistant to the Athletic Director, and most recently, Assistant Athletic Director.
As Acting Athletic Director, Bednarsh's focus will shift from the day-to-day supervision of athletic programs to broader administrative responsibilities, such as attending faculty meetings and tending to the Athletics budget.
Bednarsh hopes to continue the progress that the department has made in the past year, which includes an expansion of the fitness center and a refurbishment of the gym floor to allow for the playing of two volleyball games simultaneously.
In the spirit of progress, Bednarsh is proud to announce that the department is sponsoring a men's varsity baseball team which will play in the CUNY Conference. The team is expected to play in 15 inter-college games this year. Norman Ringel, who coached the team when it was at club-level, will serve as head coach and will be assisted by Howard Blitz, the athletic director of Taft High School.
According to Bednarsh, "It is always really exciting to add new varsity teams, and baseball in particular, because it has been the most requested team. We're glad we can help them."