Sports + volunteering + charity = This rec league that plays for a good cause

Hannah Marks is a self-proclaimed “terrible athlete,” so that’s certainly not why she became the GM of ZogSports PHL. Rather, it’s the league’s commitment to social good.

The NYC-based nonprofit began in 2002 after founder and CEO Robert Herzog showed up five minutes late to work at World Trade Center Tower 1 on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Upon reflecting on this near-death experience, he decided to commit his life to giving back and created a sports league that encourages volunteerism and charity. Each individual team in the league plays in the name of a specific nonprofit and has the opportunity to earn up to $250 for it by winning its league’s championship, but also in off-the-field categories such as “Best Team Name” and “Best Sportsmanship.”

Since its founding, the organization has grown to eight locations across the country. The only charity-focused recreational sports league in the area, ZogSports came to Philly a year ago and has since donated over $5,000 to local nonprofits, including Project HOME, Back on My Feet, Saint Joseph’s Kinney Center for Autism and Students Run Philly Style, according to Marks. 

At the beginning of every game, each team announces what org they’re playing for.

“It just kind of brings it back to why we’re there,” Marks said. 

The league also offers volunteer opportunities. The teams try to give back to the spaces where they play, so players recently participated in LOVE Your Park week and spent time at the North Columbia YMCA‘s Healthy Kids Day. 

About 500 people have played in Philly each season. Some are new city dwellers looking to make friends whereas some are coworkers from local companies such as FringeArts and La Colombe.

“The mission starts and ends with bringing people together,” Marks said — it’s about connecting players to communities as well as each other. “We run by our core values, and the first one is caring. We care about the refs, the officials, the players, the parks where we play and the charities.” 

Registration for kickball, softball, volleyball and basketball summer leagues is open from now until June 15.