Two years ago, Gersz was presented with a problem. His kids came to him saying that they didn’t want to play soccer anymore. Although he was okay with them quitting, he was not okay with them sitting around.So Gersz started a free club, Running Rabbits, at Parmelee Farm in Killingworth.
What began as a small family activity with his kids has now grown into a group of more than 40 people who meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to run, compete and connect. “I just wanted to get my kids moving again after they stopped playing soccer,” Gersz said. “Now it’s something to look forward to; it keeps us close and gets others involved too.” Participants are able to choose from many different events such as running one or two miles or doing a 5k.
Gersz, a father of six, four girls and two boys, finds joy in seeing his kids active and spending time outdoors. For him, being part of the club gets some extra moments with them, whether it’s racing against them, or cheering them on, he feels a stronger bond.
For over 20 years, Gersz has brought that same energy and passion to the Morgan school where he motivates and encourages students every day in the gym and in hallways. Joao Domingos, who has taken multiple classes with Gersz, said, “Gersz is just an amazing person, you know, he motivates me to, you know, wanna come to school, wanna come to gym class and really just put my all into it. He brings so much energy to the school and does so much for everyone and it’s really just a great role model for everyone around and generally pushes people to be the best people they can be.”
Growing up in East Haven, Gersz was a two-time captain in football and track and also played basketball. ”I just always
liked being around people,” he said.” As a captain, being able to lead and help the team really clicked with me.”
After high school, he attended Southern Connecticut State University and initially studied environmental science, hoping to become a park ranger. ”I love the outdoors,” he said.” But most of those jobs were out of state and I didn’t want to leave Connecticut.” However, because he was coaching football and track at East Haven at just 19, he discovered how much he loved working with kids, leading him to become a gym teacher.
For Gersz football will always hold a special place in his heart. “It’s the ultimate team sport,” he said. ”Friday Night Lights, the band, to the energy of the crowd, being able to line up side by side with people you grew up, with, is just awesome.”
Balancing teaching and being a father can be tough, but being a father Gersz believes has made him a better teacher. “You realize how important every moment is in a kid’s life. You’ve got to be on your game everyday.”
Family means everything to Gersz. He takes pride in being both a father and a husband and always bringing energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. On Halloween, Gersz dressed up as a wrestler with his sons and went as Hulk Hogan, one of his sons as Macho Man, then the other as Randy Savage. His daughters were dressed up as roller derby skaters and wife as a ref. They all fell into an 80s theme, “These are the moments I live for. There’s nothing even in the same galaxy” he said
