So, last night, our ZogSports dodgeball team, Dodge This!, got swept in the playoffs, losing all four of its games. We were disappointed that we didn't even pull a game out, but in the end, we were all really happy about the season and this wacky sport that brought us all together. One of the teams we lost to is also playing kickball, so we'll have to exact our revenge on the turf.
So far I've played dodgeball this year, and kickball last year, and I have to say, this league is really something special. The quality of people that it brings together is amazing, but I guess "people who play charity dodgeball or kickball" is as good a social screen as you can get. Plus, playing in the league gives you an automatic connection to all of the other Zoggers as well. Anytime I see one of those colored t-shirts with the ZogSports logo, I always ask what sport the person played and how they got involved, and they're always very receptive.
Another thing that was nice last night was an appearence by "the Zog Guy"--founder and new dad Robert Herzog. I pointed out to some of the people on the team who he was and some of them were curious about what his story was. I really didn't know too much about the guy, but when I Googled him and Zogsports, I learned just how special this whole thing was. You see, Robert Herzog worked for Marsh McLennan on the 96th Floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower. Two hundred and ninety seven people from Marsh died that morning, but Rob, miraculously, was later to work than usual. His story was detailed in a great Tampa Tribune article a few years ago.
So now, ZogSports is up to 11,000 participants. Zog encourages "New Yorkers to maintain perspective and a more balanced lifestyle by having fun while also giving something back to the community." Its really something amazing to be a part of and I really have to tip my hat (and no, I'm not suddenly wearing hats because I shaved my head) to Rob.