This week, in honor of Father’s Day, the Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize two local dads as Sportstars of the Week: Michael Gutlove and Shalom Shushan. Last month, the duo were part of a the Garden State Warriors team that competed in the Ohel Xtreme Challenge. The team, led by coach Chani (Carol) Teigman raised $35,000 for OHEL, an organization that serves children and adults with disabilities. In keeping with the Father’s Day theme, we asked their greatest trophies (children) a few questions about their Sportstar dads.
Shalom Shushan played soccer at a high level in Israel but wasn’t able to take it further because he was shomer Shabbat. He was also one of the stars of the Shaarei Orah team in the first year of the MGBL mens league. Although Shushan was a late addition to the Garden State Warriors team, he completed the OXC as if he had been training with them all along.
Liraz Shushan, age 8 ¾: My dad’s favorite professional athlete is Lionel Messi and his favorite sport is soccer. His pregame routine involves getting his headphones and his greatest athletic accomplishment is competing the “mud run.”
Elad Shushan age 11: I agree with Liraz, my father’s favorite professional athlete is Lionel Messi and his favorite sport is soccer. He always stretches before heading out to compete. The best thing about having a Sportstar dad is that he can help us practice to be better athletes.
Eitan Shushan, Age 14: My dad’s favorite sport is tennis and his favorite athlete is Roger Federer. My father’s pregame routine involves eating a protein bar and his greatest accomplishment is playing soccer semi-professionally in Israel. The best thing about having a Sportstar dad is that if you are doing something wrong he teaches you how to do it right.
Michael Gutlove is an MGBL coach extraordinaire and has been taking classes with Teigman for years. When we asked Teigman about Michael, we were told that he is “one of the most determined, competitive, dedicated and committed people I know. He has never met a challenge he didn’t like. For him the finish line is the beginning of a whole new race. ”
Jared Gutlove, age 9: My dad’s favorite professional athlete is Patrick Ewing and his favorite sport is basketball. My dad’s warm up routine includes doing the monkey bars and his greatest athletic accomplishment is completing the OHEL extreme challenge and surviving!
Rachel Gutlove age 13: Before he plays, my dad warms up by stretching. His greatest athletic accomplishment was being the captain of his high school basketball team (the first ever HANC varsity team).
Evie Gutlove, age 16: My dad’s pre game routine includes davening and drinking black coffee. My dad’s greatest athletic accomplishment is being the coach for all three of his kids’ MGBL teams (and winning two championships, so far.)
**Editor’s note: All of the Gutlove children agree that the best thing about having a Sportstar dad is having a role model who sets an awesome example. Having known Gutlove for the past 40 plus years, and Shushan for the past few, I can attest that they are both true models.
The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift certificate to Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
