Brian O'Connor

I first met Dan in September 2003 at Binghamton University. I was 19 and in my first year of school, Dan was 23 in his first year.
Our team was very excited to receive the new member, who was among the most prominent youth players in Israel, and would certainly be our number one player.
After years in the military and far from tennis he was a little rusty, but that did not stop him. He had self-belief and boundless self-confidence. He was even a little stubborn at times, and was unwilling to accept anything but a transfer bat in the back of his hand along the line for example.

In a very short time Dan returned to fitness and became the best player in our area.

Almost immediately Dan received the respect of our teammates and became captain. He was the leader and the one who inspired us all. He is the one who set the pace in training and the one who set a personal example of work discipline and determination. Once he caught one of our team members shortening the long run we had done, and ordered him to run again. Another time on the way back from an away game, one of the team members joked at Sasha's expense. Dan asked the coach to stop the bus on the side of the highway and suggested to a friend who was joking to go beating him outside, in the cold.

Dan was a mature, smart man, a man of the great world, loyal and patriotic, especially towards the Israeli flag that was lying on his chair during the games, and also towards his Sasha.

After two years playing with Dan at Binghamton, Dan was given the incredible opportunity to move to Brown. Although such a move to such a good university was a magician for everyone, Dan's decision was not an easy one. He built a family in Binghamton. His loyalty and devotion to his friends and team was an alliance that was not easy for him to break.
Eventually he made the right decision and accepted the offer from Brown where he continued to succeed on the field and in his studies.

Dan was a man who never took anything for granted and he certainly took the opportunity given to him at Brown. Immediately after graduation he moved to New York and began his banking career.

There we reconnected and continued our friendships.

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Brian O'Connor

I met Dan in September of 2003 at Binghamton University. I was a 19-year-old sophomore, and he was a 23-year-old freshman. Our team was very excited to meet our new teammate who was the top junior in Israel and would surely be our top player. After years in the army, and away from tennis, he was a bit rusty, but that did not stop him. He had an uncanny level of self-belief and confidence. He was even a bit stubborn at times, not accepting anything but a backhand passing shot down the line. Soon enough, he had regained his level of play and became a top player in the region.

He instantly commanded the respect of all teammates and quickly became our team captain. He was a natural leader and motivator. He set the tone during our practices and workouts by exemplifying his unmatched work ethic and determination. He one time caught a teammate cutting half of a long-distance run and made them run again. Another time, while heading home from a team match, a teammate made a playful joke about Sasha, and he made Coach stop the van on the side of the highway and offered to fight outside in the cold.  

Dan was mature, wise, worldly, loyal, and patriotic (especially to his Israeli flag draped over his chair and of course to his Sasha). After two years of playing with Dan at Binghamton, he was presented with an amazing opportunity to transfer to Brown University. Even though an Ivy League education would be a dream for anyone, this was not an easy decision for Dan. He had built a family in Binghamton. His loyalty and commitment to his friends and team was a bond that would not be easy for him to break. Ultimately, he made the right decision, accepting the offer at Brown University, where he continued to thrive on the court and in his studies.  

Dan never took anything for granted, and he certainly took advantage of his opportunity at Brown. Soon after graduating, he moved to NYC and began his investment banking career. There, we were able to reconnect and continue our friendship.