Anyone who attended the athletics banquet on Wednesday, May 8th understands Meira Lerner’s commitment to the YU Athletics Department. Among many other awards, she received the prestigious Aaron Meyer Dedication to Athletics award. When presenting this award, athletics director Joe Bednarsh described Meira as “a young lady of limitless energy and determination, who is constantly in motion on the field of play and on behalf of the department.”
As co-president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), she has made significant contributions to YU athletics as a whole. Says her SAAC Co-president Yitzy Frankel, “Under her leadership and vision the SAAC has become more serious about community service, raising pride and selling gear and broadening the conversation.” Frankel adds, “Little did I know Athletics would also benefit from her superb writing and communication skills and overall amazingly professional work ethic. This coupled with her passion for Maccabee sports has helped the SAAC grow exponentially.” Frankel was thrilled when Meira agreed to join SAAC because of her commitment and dedication to the athletics program.
With a significant influence on the soccer field, assistant athletic director and soccer interim head coach Christine Serdjenian said, “Only a special person like Meira would be elected captain of their team for three years.” Serdjenian went on to explain that as the team had 13 new members and both she and Coach Joe Machado were new, they really admired her devotion to always putting the team first. “Joe and I really appreciated her guidance and leadership for the team.”
Meira’s dedication to athletics at YU began even before she entered Stern College. I first got to know Meira as my crazy roommate in Midreshet Lindenbaum who had all sorts of sports equipment strewn about the room. She informed me that she was going to be on the soccer team and that she was going to start a softball team at Stern. Even before she started the team, she was already recruiting players. “When we start a team, and we will start a team,” said Meira, “you’re going to be on it.” Well four years later, it turns out she was right.
Bednarsh explains that Meira has been a driving force behind the softball team at Stern. “I first met Meira through email when she contacted me as a senior in HS asking about the possibility of a softball team. I have worked hand in hand with her for the last four years trying to make softball a reality.”
Serdjenian agrees that Meira has been instrumental in the formation of the team. “YU’s inaugural softball season was a fruit of Meira’s labor – she recruited players, helped to orient new coaches, lugged equipment to practices, and the list goes on. While she could not have done it alone, we certainly could not have done it without her.”
Even after getting the softball team off the ground, she still committed 100% to each practice and game. Softball Interim Head Coach Steven Schucker was impressed with Meira from the very beginning. “Meira is the best student athlete I’ve ever been associated with. She is incredibly easy to coach.” Assistant Coach Nate Fish adds “Her effort level is off the charts every day. She is an exceptional athlete, and an even better person.”
Although Meira played catcher in high school softball, when the team was short a pitcher, Meira immediately stepped in to learn. “As a pitching coach,” states Coach Richard Mauro, “I am always hoping to find an athlete to work with that has the combination of physical talent, mental toughness and unwavering commitment. Meira has it all with the added benefits of a warm and agreeable personality. Her drive to succeed at any task or challenge is way beyond what I normally have encountered.” Mauro says that his only regret is that he only got to work with Meira for one season, but he adds that he believes she will succeed at anything she focuses on.
Coach Schucker simply stated, “Her legacy will be part of the team forever.”