Living the "Glory Days" in South Jersey
Living the "Glory Days" in South Jersey
Adults joining sports leagues might seem eager to relive their glory days. But really, if you join the right league, it's possible to enjoy your athletic experience like never before.
That's the opportunity afforded by Glory Days Sports, the fastest-growing adult sport and social club in South Jersey.
Owned and run by four best friends, Glory Days Sports offers a blend of competition and comaraderie that's reminiscent of school, travel or even gym class athletics -- but without the same pressure or stress. It's a sport and social "club," but it's inclusive and fun, not exclusive and intimidating.
Glory Days Sports currently sponsors a number of different sports leagues in Voorhees, Marlton, Cherry Hill, Hammonton, Winslow, Berlin, Waterford, Mount Laurel and Medford and plans to add several new leagues in other parts of the area.
According to co-owner Jamie Connor, he and partners/pals Matt DeNafo, Nick Gargano and Mark DeNafo like to form personal relationships with each player in their leagues.
"At least one of us goes to each game, and we like to chat with the players about the game and how life is going," Connor said. "This gives us a great perspective on what they want and how we are doing delivering it. So far, feedback could not be better."
In two years in existence, Glory Days Sports has seen its original coed softball league balloon from seven teams to 38 teams. Dodgeball leagues currently include 24 teams, men's basketball leagues have 16 teams, men's and coed flag football leagues have 10 teams in the winter, the coed kickball league had 12 teams last fall, and Connor expects that number to double this spring. Glory Days Sports also offers leagues in indoor and outdoor soccer, roller hockey, indoor and sand volleyball and women's field hockey.
If you want to play but can't get a team together, you can register as a "Free Agent," and GDS will unite you with a team. "This has been a huge success," O'Connor said, "as some 'Free Agent' teams have been together since our first year. They play in several leagues and sports now together. They have all formed tight friendships and that makes it all worth the time and effort we put in."
Glory Days Sports also believes in giving back to its players, both by making participation affordable and by offering incentives for repeat teams/players to continue playing every season. GDS also runs giveaways throughout each season -- the latest were: Teams that registered by a given date were given a free Deuce Brand Watch; and one GDS member who played in the winter season will receive two round-trip plane tickets from Philadelphia to Las Vegas and three nights at the MGM Grand.
Spring leagues are kicking off throughout the month of April. Find more information on the Glory Days Sports website.
by Jen Wielgus
