Jersey Club Sports Provides Athletic Social Outlet

Call it gym class without the school bell, or awkward teenage acne.

Since early 2009, Jersey Club Sports has been providing adults 21 and over an opportunity to, in the words of the organization's motto and its founder, Deb Nexon, "have fun, play sports, be social!"

The need for a social outlet, for her and others, was the driving force behind Nexon's decision to form the league.

"My mission was: I wanted people to meet people," she said.

The impetus for Jersey Club Sports began when its founder returned to the area in 2002 after living in Atlanta, Ga., for six years and said, "there's nothing to do here."

With the economy amid its infamous tailspin throughout 2008, Nexon, who had been working finance for a commercial real estate firm in Morristown, decided it was finally time to give the league a chance.

Soon after Jersey Club Sports held its first slate of league games in June 2009, Nexon was able to quit her job in order to devote more time to the league. Since then, over 4,000 area kickballers, softball stalwarts, flag football fanatics and bowling bravos–among other sports lovers–have signed up, with about 2,000 currently participating, she said.

A sports league was an obvious choice for the athletic and energetic Nexon, who has been active in sports of one ilk or another much of her life. The Boonton resident has played soccer, softball and tennis, among other sports.

But, you don't have to be a regular tri-athlete to get involved in Jersey Club Sports League, Nexon said. Participants on many levels of athleticism participate. And, afterward, everyone ends up on the same level of camaraderie as players sojourn at The Famished Frog, one of the league's sponsors, for some post-game drinks and chow.

But, don't just take the founder's word for it. On a recent weeknight at Loantaka Brook Reservation on South Street (where half of the league's kickball games are played; the other half is at Greystone Park in Parsippany), a "fierce" battle between Team "Your Balls, My Foot" and Team "That's What She Said" was being waged. While some parts of the teams had been formed by friends (many of whom had met previously during another Jersey Club Sports season), a number of players came to the organization not knowing anyone. They were "free agents" to be placed with new team members, who would eventually become new friends.

"People move here from all over the state, and other parts of the world," said Sean McNiff, a business development adviser living in Morristown since 2009. "I now probably know over 100 people here by name. It's a great social scene. If you're 21 or over and want to be social, it's definitely the place to be."

Michelle Babb, an accountant for BASF in Florham Park, moved to Morristown from Rutherford in February not only to be closer to work but, after meeting so many people while participating in sports like kickball, frisbee and dodgeball decided, "I should just move here."

She said Jersey Club Sports provides participants with a comfort base. "Everyone meets a lot of people, you'll make friends really fast.

"It's social sports. It's not really competitive. Some may take it seriously, but overall, it's just fun," Babb said.

"Kickin' It For The Kids," a kickball tournament and silent auction, benefiting the Children's Specialized Hospital, is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Loantaka Brook Reservation. The summer season concludes with an end of the season party for champions and newcomers on Sept. 16 at The Famished Frog. But, don't worry: the fall season is hot on its heels. Good thing, because Jersey Club Sports needs to make more friends and … lovers?

"People have started dating [through Jersey Club Sports]," Nexon said. "But, no proposals ... yet."