For three years, Joe Uddeme played soccer for the Baltimore Maccabi team, traveling to Detroit and Wayne, N.J. as well as participating in the 1992 Baltimore games. Today, this father of two is bringing his expertise and a love of the game – he also played for Pikesville Middle and Pikesville High Schools and intramural at Towson University – to the next generation.

This year, Uddeme will be coach of the Baltimore Jr. Maccabi soccer team. The 2018 games, for athletes, ages 11 and 12, will be held in Baltimore on May 6 at the JCC, an agency of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.

What do you remember about your Maccabi days? I remember meeting so many new people and traveling to new places. For years, I kept in touch with the family that I stayed with from Wayne, N.J. I also played in the first Maccabi games ever held in Baltimore. I still remember the pride I had for our city. We were the ambassadors and had the opportunity to show off our town.

I see you coached Maccabi soccer teams for the Mini Maccabi games (ages 9 and 10) and this year you are coaching the junior team. Yes. I love giving back and teaching soccer skills. This year we plan on having two soccer teams, an A and B team. We already have a lot of kids and are looking to add some more. Click to read full article.

The Associated Contributors are writers from The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.