“In the summer of 2012, after my year in Israel at Reishit Yerushalayim, I had the honor to meet my coach, mentor, and friend, Yogev. That was the summer that I attended the second annual summer of Step It Up, and the tools that I learned that summer have stayed with my until today.
At Step It Up, Yogev taught me that discipline, hard work, and drive are the only ways to bring about success. Yogev incorporated weight training and skill development into my game; “perfect your craft”, he would always tell us. Yogev taught me so much that I was able to apply both on and off the court. Everything that I learned at Step It Up has been applicable to my everyday life, including now as I currently begin my professional career in Real Estate.
In my junior year of college at Yeshiva University, I had the privilege of being coached by Yogev Berdugo, who along with coach Elliot Steinmetz, guided me through my final two years of my basketball career, which were the most exciting years I have had in my life. My coaches pushed me to grow, to learn, and to fight. “Respect the game, and it will respect you back”, Yogev always told us. I am able to look back on summer 2012 and see how much my game, both physically and mentally, has improved since meeting Yogev.
Yogev, I look at myself today and I cannot begin to express my deepest gratitude to you for having taught me these life lessons. Thank you for helping me “perfect my craft” each and every day.”
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Along with Shelby Rosenberg, Shaje Weiss, a 2 year sleep away camper and Yeshiva University basketball star, posted averages of 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, all while shooting a staggering 56% from the field.
A graduate of JEC in Elizabeth, NJ, Shaje’s work ethic laid the groundwork for future YU basketball players to emulate and is a perfect example of how you can succeed as a student athlete both on and off the court.
Shaje is graduating from Yeshiva University this May with a degree in Finance and Accounting and is also a Pre Law student.