Our Team
Meet the ZogSports team! Here's where you can find out how you can join the team as a ZogSports referee or field manager, and learn about our full-time staff (yes, we have a full-time staff!).
Full-Time ZogSports Staff
Rob Herzog - CEO & Founder
Robert "Zog" Herzog is the man behind the curtain. He founded ZogSports after having a close call on 9/11. After arriving late for work, he witnessed his office, which was located on the 96th floor of World Trade Center Tower #1, being directly hit by the first plane. Rob decided to build on the tremendous human charity he witnessed following 9/11 and to help foster community in New York by creating ZogSports, which encourages New Yorkers to maintain perspective and a more balanced lifestyle by having fun while also giving something back to the community. Robert holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from Brown University.
When he's not priming ZogSports to take over the world, Rob enjoys hanging with his wife Laurin and their two little Zogs, Spencer and Jackson. In fact, Rob says his lifetime sports highlight was meeting Laurin even while getting mercy-ruled in a citywide softball tournament (she played 2nd base and he was at short) then shooting an 84 on a very tough golf course and finally coincidentally seeing Laurin again at a party that night. Rob dropped the line: "Oooh, you clean up nice!" on her and the rest is history. In his spare time from organizing this massive operation, Rob can be found making cameos at the fields and gyms, getting down at ZogSports parties, and boogying to 80s tunes in his office.
Christie MacKinnon - VP of Operations
Christie MacKinnon has been with ZogSports so long, she’s already retired from the favorite ZS pastime of Flip Cup (though she might just join your game if you’re really lucky). Yes, she does collect Social Security in the form of free pitchers. Hailing from the famous Rancho Relaxo in Long Island, this Harvard grad is a multi-threat on the field and on the ice, having played four years of varsity ice hockey (winning a national championship in ’99), as well as Zog activities like football (two teams), softball, soccer, and kickball (where she even had a team named after her: CMMP – aka Christie Made Me Play). Did we mention she was Prom Queen of the first Annual ZogSports Prom? When she’s not playing a Zog sport, you can catch Christie attempting not to spill things, eating chocolate swizzles, watching “reality” shows on MTV and VH1, and (despite her acquired name of Christie Zog) not being married to ZogSports Founder & CEO, Rob Herzog.
Teams & Titles
• Football - Camo Toe (1 Championship), Girl Play (1 Championship), Boy Play (1 Championship)
• Softball - Sex Panthers (4 championships)
• Soccer – Anchorage Buccaneers (1 Championship)
• Kickball – CMMP (Christie Made Me Play) (2 championships)
Joel Kornblau - Manager of Operations
You may know this ZogSports vet for his flowing brunette locks and ever-present limp due to on-the-field injuries, but did you also know Joel Kornblau has a Masters in Sports Business from NYU, graduating in 2005. He has played in and managed every sport Zog has to offer, and carries the nickname “fastest man with a spare tire.” A Strong Island native, Joel has played soccer since he was five years old, highlighted by his premiere travel team during high school which played all over the country and won the Long Island Championships and state tournaments. He continued his education and intramural sports career at the University of Michigan where he graduated in '03 and (presumably) also honed his drinking skills earning the title of “Underhand Assassin” for his quirky Beer Pong toss. If you see Joel at the bar, run, or else prepare to be force-fed his libation of choice – the Mind Eraser. Joel has a soft spot for red ZogSports t-shirts, warm-up pants, “dress sneakers,” and Zog refs.
Teams & Titles
• Soccer – Shoccers (1 indoor championship; 3 outdoor championships; Mind Erasers – 2 Sunday Championships
• Kickball – CMMP (1 championship)
• Softball – Suite 925, Tainted Glove
• Dodgeball – Spongebob Squarepants (1 Player and overall Championship), Aim for the Head
• Basketball – Driving and Thriving
Brandon Bitterman - League Manager
Sport: Football
Though he was raised on the mean hippy streets of Woodstock, NY, Brandon Bitterman decided at an early age to trade in his hemp onesie for a cow-hide baseball mitt. Brandon’s love of sports began in 1986, when he donned a red wig while attending Rusty Staub day at Shea Stadium. A couple months later at the tender age of six, he was able to recite the entire New York Mets 25-man championship roster, as “the ball gets by Buckner.” He later honed a passion and skill for basketball and by the age of 18, this multi-sport star had gathered trophies (and ribbons) for baseball, soccer, swimming and ping pong. Yes, ping pong. He graduated from Ithaca College in 2002 and moved to New York City in 2003. A year later he received his Masters from Columbia University, got engaged to his wife Jodi and accepted an invitation to join a touch football team in a league called ZogSports. He has since earned 8 championships across other ZogSports leagues, leading to his [self-appointed] nickname, “The Bo Jackson of ZogSports.” In the summer of 2007, Brandon accepted the position of League Manager at ZogSports, running the newly formed Queens leagues, and Touch Football and Basketball in Manhattan. When he’s not sporting a classic ZogSports t-shirt or sweatshirt, Brandon enjoys the great outdoors, pretending he’s a hip hop legend and spending time traveling around the world with his family, which grew to include his first son (Jalen Jackson) in March 2009. Brandon is a Leo vegetarian. If you see him at the bar, try not to feed him wings.
Teams & Titles (Championship Seasons)
• Coed Basketball - Hittori Honzu Steals (WI10), Double Dribble (SP07)
• Mens Basketball - White Chocolate (WI10 runner-up, FA07 runner-up)
• Dodgeball - Repeat Offenders (FA06)
• Kickball - Ghostface Kickaz, Repeat Offenders (SU06, SU07)
• Football - Flying Pink Popped Collars (WI08, SP08), Babaganoush (SP06)
Andy Koleba - League Manager
Sports: Kickball, Dodgeball, Soccer and Floor Hockey
Andy Koleba comes to the league with a resume of drinking game titles that rival that of even the most seasoned Zog vet. Koleba holds 12 titles in the grueling game of Beer Pong, and is a four-time finisher of the Boston Beer Marathon (26 bars in 12 hours). In fact, Koleba saw fit to mentor others with his immense knowledge and skill in the beer arts, organizing the Boston Beerlympics in 2006 and 2007. Knowing this, it’s no surprise that the Oakland, NJ native opted to leave his finance job in mutual funds to join his kin at Zog. It should be mentioned Koleba is also adept in the physical sports field, winning eight intramural championships at Boston University (from which he graduated in 2005) in soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, and the rough-and-tumble game of broomball. In his first few months at ZogSports, Koleba joined a dodgeball team and an indoor soccer team, donning K-Mart-brand silk pj-pants for every game in the former. When he’s not running Zog’s volleyball and kickball leagues as well as all Brooklyn leagues, you can find Koleba sneaking fast food into the Zog office and rooting for his fave New York teams (Yankees, Rangers, Giants). And if any Boston fans have something to say about that, well, they can settle it at the beer pong table.
Teams & Titles
• Soccer – Big Blue Drinking Crew (1 championship, 1 runner-up, 4 drinking team awards), Showgirls/United States of Juicy (2x runners-up)
• Dodgeball – Ball Magnets (1 championship)
• Kickball – Kick in a Box (1 championship)
• Wiffleball – Wiff my Balls (1 runner-up)
• Bowling – Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Mike Mortellaro
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Mike began his ZogSports career on “At Least We Can Drink”, a dodgeball team that defined the opposite of undefeated. This Port Jefferson native soon learned his real calling is as a wiffle ball pitcher, a career that began as the #1 starter on “Hit Or Get Off The Pot”. His world famous changeup is affectionately known as the “Mortball”, a knee buckling changeup that makes even the best Zog wiffleballer wish they had not gotten up that morning. He even taught Stephen Strasburg his changeup based on the mechanics of the Mortball. While he’s dabbled in softball and bowling, he’s better known for post frame dancing and chest bumps than strikes on the 2 time defending non-champion “Unholy Rollers”. He’s also an avid Jets fan, golfer and skier. This Cornell University grad holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is especially prone to mosquito bites. He shares the same birthday as his sister and has ordered more food via seamless web than any other human and can clap vigorously with one hand. He’s also one of the best mini-ping pong players in the world, and if you disagree he just may throw a Mortball your way.
Teams & Titles
- Wiffle Ball - Hit Or Get Off The Pot (Runner-up), Get Your Cat Out Of My Blender
- Dodgeball – At Least We Can Drink
- Bowling – Unholy Rollers
- Softball – Christie’s Team
Dan Langus - League Manager
Sports: Basketball, Bowling and Queens Leagues
Growing up in Chappaqua, NY, Dan has been known by all of his peers simply as ‘Langus.’ The majority of people don’t even know his first name. This list includes teachers, many of his best friends, and purportedly even his own parents. The mysterious ‘Langus’ is best known throughout the New York area as well as the University of Michigan for his shotgunning prowess, bowling dominance, and his uncanny ability to never remember anyone’s name. He prides himself on the fact that he hit his athletic peak at age 12, and was often toted as one of the better athletes in town and at his camp, Camp Baco. Although his skills have drastically declined since middle school, he can usually count on bowling to keep his spirits high. A winner of the Fraternity bowling league at the U of M, Langus has also proceeded to take down his first two Zog bowling Championships within a mere 4 months of starting at Zog. Langus first donned a Zog shirt as a Football Referee in 2009, before joining the team full-time in 2010. If you are at the bar and don’t know how to find him, look for a guy in a way-too small, 15 year-old t-shirt even when it’s subzero degrees out.
Teams & Titles
Bowling – The Pin Pals (1 Sunday Championship, 1 Weeknight Championship)
Basketball – Slappin’ Da Bass
Kickball – ZS - Purple
Softball – Christie’s Team
Jodi Kanter - Event and Philanthropy Coordinator
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Napoleon surely would not have sold the Louisiana Purchase if he knew that it included Jodi Kanter. Born and raised in New Orleans, Jodi flourished on the Cajun streets, immersing herself in the local culture. She starred on the hardwood playing AAU basketball and displayed skills that rejuvenated the city of New Orleans. It was no surprise that the Hornets moved to town shortly after “Jojo” Kanter’s days on the court brought basketball back to life in the Treme. But like Armstrong, Connick Jr. and Neville before her, Ms. Kanter was meant to blossom beyond her bead catching roots. In 2004, she gathered up her shrimp and brought them to Gainesville, Florida for Gator Bait. Her presence at the University of Florida quickly lead to back-to-back-to-back championships and one Heisman trophy (as a spectator). To this day, many Gator historians credit her work on her degree in Advertising as leading to the school’s athletic success. “Bubbles,” as she is known to grandpa, would eventually break more southern hearts when she set off for New York City in 2008. But the Big Easy’s loss would turn out to be the Big Apple’s greatest gain, when Jodi joined ZogSports as the Event and Philanthropy Coordinator. Leading the way for whitewater rafting trips, wine tastings, hiking, brewery tours and many more, she has provided thousands of New Yorkers with opportunities to escape the city. It is easy to see that Event and Philanthropy Coordination will never be the same.
Teams & Titles
Office American Idol Pool (Champion)
Basketball- Good Call Ref
Dodgeball- Cloudy with a Chance of Dodgeballs, No Handsies (1 championship)
Kickball- Kick Tease
Softball- Christie’s Team
Wiffle Ball- Purple Hazed
David Goess
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You may have met Dave when you came to pick-up your Zog shirts, but his talents go far beyond selecting team colors. With a B.F.A. in Communication Arts from the New York Institute of Technology, everyone turns to Dave when we need help putting together a video, uploading a video, or basically anything that involves a video. Since his seat is hidden against the back wall, “Dave….Dave….Daaaaave…” is frequently yelled across the office when we need his help and are wondering whether to send a search team to fish him out of a sea of colored Zog shirts. While he was born in South Korea, Dave is a New Yorker at heart when it comes to routing for his favorite sports teams (Mets, Rangers and Giants). Dave’s left lung exploded in 2004, but this video whiz athlete doesn’t let that hold him back from playing competitive roller hockey. Dave also has a bartending license, but prefers being served shots of Jameson or trying a new beer on the other side of the bar. Dave also enjoys taking bumps of hot sauce, peer pressuring his friends and searching for the best cheeseburger in the world. Dave once ate pizza for lunch for 12 straight days while at Zog to save money for Vegas, so it’s a good thing he also has the world’s fastest metabolism!
Teams
Ali Chanin - Marketing Manager
After years of convincing friends to play on her ZogSports teams, Ali was thrilled to join the ZogSports staff and actually get paid for talking up the games! Ali has sharpened her reflexes to avoid getting hit by the many balls thrown by her desk (at her), and just might be ready to take on some of the “Players” in dodgeball this year. Previously an avid tennis player, Ali has recently traded in her racket for some running sneakers. You can often catch her running along the East River or through Central Park while training for the 2010 NYC Marathon. Known as Social Director or Human Zagat to many, Ali is the first person friends and family turn to when in need of a restaurant suggestion or party planning advice. While her “big NYC move” was only a block from her previous apartment, Ali loves to travel and has been on trips that range from tubing in Belize to running through the streets of Florence. As a Syracuse student, Ali enjoyed cheering the Orangemen to victory when they won the National Basketball Championship in 2003. She’s hoping one of her Zog teams might even win a title some day too!
Teams
Touch Football – UGA Dawgs
Dodgeball – Emily Runs into Walls
Volleyball – S-E-T-S, SETS, SETS, SETS
Bowling – That's How We Roll
Josh Steele - Assistant League Manager
Sports: Rugby, Volleyball and Wiffle Ball
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Josh couldn’t get enough of ZogSports after reffing numerous football games, so he decided to join the full-time ZogSports team. If you’re lucky you still might spot him reffing your game….and no, he doesn’t take bribes. This natural born athlete was a star on the track and football teams at Principia College. Not only did he compete in shot-put, hammer, discus, javelin and 4x100 while on the Principia track team, he also holds the school record for indoor shot. Still loyal to his hometown of LA, Josh loves the Los Angeles Lakers. You may also spot him cheering for the St Louis Rams and Los Angeles Dodgers. Sorry ladies, this star athlete is off the market. He’s engaged to Lindsey, who he met in a staff football game at ZogSports. When he’s not hitting the fields and gyms with ZogSports, you might just spot him walking their one year old Beagle named Chloe through the streets of the UES.
Teams and Titles
Basketball - Team Barton Summer (1 Championship), Hittori Honzu Steals (1 Championship), White Chocolate, Double Dribble
Touch Football – Team Swift, Dean Machine Burgundy
Bowling – That's How We Roll
Drew Dash Curhan - Assistant League Manager
Sports: Brooklyn Leagues and Softball
After years of playing soccer, baseball, roller hockey and basketball as a kid, Drew was prepared to take on the role of Assistant League Manager for ZogSports. This zany foosball aficionado grew up in the streets of Santa Barbara, and is a huge fan of the Dodgers, Dodgers and Dodgers. He claims that he can run 6 miles in 20 minutes, but we’re still waiting to witness this. Not only can Drew do multiplication of single digit numbers IN HIS HEAD, this aquatic animal was also captain of the Swimteam and Water Polo team at Tufts University. Drew is known to have “interesting pick-up lines,” so it’s a good thing he’s also immune to awkward moments. Whether he’s snowboarding, backpacking or jumping out of a plane, Drew is always up for an adventure. He enjoys boasting his vast knowledge of drinking games and his ability to drink carbonated beverages out of both sippy cups and grown up glasses. He’s planning to get a lot more practice playing Beirut or "beer pong" at Zog happy hours and parties. Think you can beat him? You don’t have to twist his arm too much to take on the challenge.
Teams
Interns
Benjamin Lee
This Columbia University student brings his athletic skills, witty comments and enthusiasm for sports to the ZogSports office. Not only was Ben named an All-State high school tennis player, he also won the 2005 NJ State Doubles Championship with his twin brother. When he’s not serving aces, Ben enjoys cheering on the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tiger Woods. Ben moved away from sunny Phoenix years ago, but this fantasy basketball stud is still loyal to his teams. Watch out Andy—he looks forward to beating you in beer pong before the summer is over!
Want to join the ZogSports Team?
We are always looking for referees for our sports as well as field managers (the onsite ZogSports point person). Reffing and field managing are a great way to earn some extra cash, get a little exercise and do a bit of “networking”. If you are interested, please contact info@zogsports.org and reference “Hiring” in the subject line.