Our Story
From a Friendly Competition to a Meaningful Cause.
Where It All Began
The Olib Open was founded in 2022 by Ante Rogic, a passionate table tennis enthusiast with a simple idea: bring family and friends together for a day of friendly competition, laughter, and lasting memories.
What started as a small gathering in Ante's home, featuring just two mid-sized ping-pong tables and 12 participants, quickly became something special. The excitement, competitive spirit, and unforgettable moments from that first tournament sparked an idea to turn a simple get-together into an annual tradition.
As word spread, so did the tournament. What began in a living room soon outgrew its original home, welcoming more players, spectators, and supporters each year.
More Than Just a Game
As the Olib Open continued to grow, so did its purpose. The tournament became an opportunity to bring people together not only for the love of table tennis, but also to make a meaningful difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.
In partnership with PESA and PESAKids to Fight Kids Cancer, led by Ante's cousins, Dan and Steven Cukar, the Olib Open proudly supports children and families affected by this devastating disease.
The cause holds a deeply personal meaning for the family. The tournament honors the memory of Dan's sister, Diana, who tragically lost her battle with cancer at just five years old. Her memory continues to inspire the event's mission of raising awareness, supporting families in need, and contributing to critical pediatric cancer research.
Every match played, donation made, and memory created helps bring our community one step closer to making a difference.
A Growing Tradition
On February 7, 2026, the Olib Open celebrated its fifth annual tournament at the Boonton Knights of Columbus Hall. Despite freezing winter temperatures, more than 100 friends, family members, and supporters came together for an unforgettable day.
With 60 competitors, approximately 75 spectators, and an incredible $3,000 raised, the event marked its most successful year yet. Through competitive matches, tricky trays, giveaways, and the generosity of local sponsors, the tournament demonstrated just how powerful a community can be when it rallies behind a shared cause.
After raising a combined $4,000 over its first four years, the fifth annual Olib Open nearly matched that total in a single day—a testament to the event's incredible growth and the generosity of everyone involved.
Looking Ahead: Bigger and Better in 2027
The Olib Open continues to grow, and we're excited to take the next step in our journey!
In 2027, the tournament will move to an all-new location at St. Pius in Montville, New Jersey, creating even more opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels to participate, compete, and give back.
While the tables, venues, and number of participants may change, the heart of the Olib Open remains the same: bringing people together, building lasting traditions, creating unforgettable memories, and supporting a cause greater than the game itself.
What started with 12 friends around two ping-pong tables has become a community united by competition, compassion, and a shared commitment to fighting pediatric cancer.
We play for fun. We compete with purpose. We rally for a cure.
Meet Ante Rogic
President & Founder of The Olib Open, LLC
My name is Ante Rogic and I am the founder and president of The Olib Open, Inc. I love my Croatian culture, my Catholic faith, soccer and table tennis. I have been happily married since 2016 to my high school sweetheart Casey Rogic. We have two children, Scarlet (Age 5.5) and Leo (Age 3.5). We live in Towaco, NJ.
I grew up in Boonton, NJ and am the son of Emil and Teri Rogic. I have three older siblings, Emily, Daniela and Tomislav. A lot of my cousins also grew up in Boonton so we were constantly together growing up.
I attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish from Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, attended high school at Morris Catholic High School '04-'08 before attending Stony Brook University and Montclair State University '12, majoring in Business Management. I then continued education at Rutgers University to pursue my passion of Turfgrass Management and completed the program in 2014.
I worked as an assistant golf course superintendent at some of the most prestigious golf clubs in the state of NJ as well as a groundskeeper for the New York Red Bulls for 10 years.
l am currently a Project Manager for a nationwide landscape company, focusing on landscape construction installation within the Tr-State area.
I love soccer and am a huge supporter of Liverpool FC. I played as a goalkeeper during my soccer playing career and I was also a college coach with my wife at Drew University for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. I also do private goalkeeping sessions to stay involved with the game I love.
I love bringing people together and am very passionate in making a positive impact in the lives of others. The Olib Open started as a fun way to bring people together during the winter and what it has evolved into is beyond measure and I am so grateful for all the support during the years.
Thank you all so much and I look forward to seeing you at the next Olib Open.
What Is Olib?
The name Olib comes from a small island off the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea, where our family's roots run deep. For us, Olib represents more than just a place—it's a symbol of family, heritage, tradition, and togetherness. Naming the tournament after Olib is our way of honoring where we come from while bringing those same values to life through friendly competition, community, and a meaningful cause.
