Coach Igor Petlakh, P.E. Teacher, K-8
BIO: Igor has been the coach at Mazel for the last 7 years. He has a master’s degree in physical education from Brooklyn College. Igor grew up with a passion for sports since an early age. He was an all-city soccer player in High School and played club soccer for Hofstra University. Before coming to Mazel, Igor was coaching basketball and soccer at JCC’s Shorefront and Kings Bay Y, as well as being the sports instructor at their summer camps.
Igor started working with kids from age 16 in Surprise Lake Camp. Igor was able to take his experience working with children and playing sports and turn that into a passion. Igor believes that gym class is vital to the development of a child physically, emotionally, and socially. Igor believes sports is a way to connect with others. It teaches children the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. It builds children’s confidence and keeps them healthy. Besides working in Mazel, Igor runs various afterschool programs in soccer and basketball, where many from the Mazel community participate.