Inductees

2010 Class
2009 Class
2008 Class
2007 Class
2006 Class
2005 Class

Barbara Bellamy coached swimming in Howard County for 30 years.  She started with the Columbia Aquatics Association’s (CAA) competitive year-round team in 1978 and 10 years later, launched a new CAA team, the Columbia Clippers.   Over 10 years as head coach and team manager, she grew the program from 50 to more than 400 swimmers.  Barbara has coached and taught swimming to literally thousands of children, including those in the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League.  She retired from coaching in 2007.

Dick Burns was a lacrosse pioneer in Howard County.  In 1963, as a high school student, he started the Howard High School Lacrosse Club.  In 1970, with financial help from the Columbia Optimist Club, he co-founded the Howard County Lacrosse Program.  Later, he established the Howard County Lacrosse Club and co-founded the Central Atlantic Lacrosse League.  Through his leadership, Howard County became the incubator for developing youth lacrosse programs in surrounding counties.

Doug Parker has shared his love of sports with the county’s youth.  He coached his four children and his children’s friends in soccer, basketball and lacrosse at the recreation and travel-team levels.  Doug often toted teams to games in his 15-passenger “Kid Taxi.”  In addition, the Parkers started the Glenelg Titans travel basketball team and the Howard Stampede Field Hockey Club.  The Stampede, which started in 2002 with one team and about 16 players, has since grown to include 17 teams of players ranging from 3rd to 8th grade.  Sadly, Doug Parker passed away in 2008.

Jean Parker has shared her love of sports with the county’s youth.  She coached her four children and her children’s friends in soccer, basketball and lacrosse at the recreation and travel-team levels. In addition, the Parkers started the Glenelg Titans travel basketball team and the Howard Stampede Field Hockey Club.  The Stampede, which started in 2002 with one team and about 16 players, has since grown to include 17 teams of players ranging from 3rd to 8th grade.

Mary Jane Rudnicki has been an active volunteer with the Howard County Youth Program (HCYP) where she is involved with baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball.  Under her guidance, HCYP’s volleyball program grew from a few dozen to several hundred players.  In addition, Mary Jane was HCYP’s first female commissioner and its first female board member. Although her own children are no longer involved, she continues to volunteer with HCYP.

Stan Ber was sports editor for Columbia Life and, in late 1971, became the sports editor of the Columbia Flier and later its sister publication, the Howard County Times.  In his role as sports editor, Stan served as a facilitator for the first Columbia Memorial Day Soccer Tournament and two tennis tournaments for junior players.  He was instrumental in the creation of the Columbia Rotary Club’s Bob Davidson Scholar Athlete Award, presented annually by the Columbia Rotary Club.  He used his weekly column to follow the progress of athletes and coaches, to speak out about the wants and needs of the sports community, to advocate for good sportsmanship and to emphasize the importance of getting good grades.

Karen Brelsford became a freelance photographer for the Columbia Flier in 1973 after a chance encounter on a sports field with fellow inductee Stan Ber.  She was soon assigned to write the stories, take the photos, type the copy, write the headlines and proofread the pages.  She helped produce the 20 pages of sports that once filled the Flier and the Times, publishing thousands of kids’ names in the papers each week.  It was Karen who made sure that girls’ teams received equal coverage. She also refused to run one-sided rec league write-ups, reasoning that someone on the losing side also had a good game and deserved to be mentioned.  After years as the assistant sports editor, in 1999 Karen became the sports editor and served in that position until 2002 when she left the paper to become a certified financial planner.

John Dye has been an active game official and administrator for Howard County Officials since 1972. Recognized by area softball players as a premier umpire, in 1992 John was honored with a membership in the “National Indicator Fraternity” – a national certification recognition of the Amateur Softball Association for outstanding umpires. At the state level, John has served as the State of Maryland Umpire In Chief for both the National Softball Association (2005) and the United States Specialty Sports Association (2006). He is the Chairman of the USSSA Fast Pitch National Umpire Committee. Since 1997, he has served as President of the Columbia Volksmarch Club.

Phil Lang has served on the Howard County Striders Board of Directors for the last 18 years, including two years as President and five years as race director for the Striders Metric Marathon.  Since the 80’s, he has been organizing the Striders team entries for competitions and in 2001 created the Striders Cross-Country Training program. Under his leadership, the Striders’ youth program has grown to over 200 young athletes. He has served as the Maryland State representative to the Road Runners Club of America since 2005.

Jim McCleary is the face of the Kangaroo Kids Jump Roping Program. Involved since the 70’s, Jim was responsible for adding choreography to the routines leading to the first Kangaroo Kids Precision Jump Roping Team.  As team coach, he leads three to six practices a week and provides numerous after-school jump roping programs. He is co-founder of the USA Jump Rope Federation, serving on their Board of Directors for nine years.  He successfully lobbied to have jump roping become an official part of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and has served as the AAU Jump Rope Committee Chairman since 1997, earning their Volunteer of the Year award in 2000. He also served as the USA Jump Roping Head Coach in 2004.

Patricia Muth has been teaching Howard County how to glide, jump and spin on ice for four decades. Upon moving to Columbia in the 70’s, Pat quickly involved herself in the activities of the local ice rink as a volunteer.  Her volunteer efforts included co-founding the Columbia Figure Skating Club and offering both recreational and competitive figure skating.  Today, she continues teaching and coaching for the Columbia Figure Skating Club and the Chesapeake Skating School.

Ray Page started his coaching career with the COBRA Football Program in 1972 as an assistant coach in their intramural 7-9 age bracket and a head coach of an 11-13 year old team. His coaching career continued another 25 years with that 11-13 year old team. During the past four decades, Ray has served as Vice President of Football for COBRA.  In 2002, he helped co-found the Trojan Football team and the Central Maryland Football and Cheer League; he went on to serve as President of the Howard County Trojan Football and Cheer program. Ray was also very active assisting with local wrestling tournaments.

Tony Brudis.- Since 1997, Howard County Youth Program athletes have enjoyed the thrill of playing under the lights at Kiwanis-Wallas Park, thanks to Tony’s persistence. As the baseball commissioner and, later, president of the Howard County Youth Program, Tony worked with the county government and the Department of Recreation and Parks to bring lights, as well as other major improvements, to the fields. With night games now possible, HCYP expanded its recreational leagues and provided more opportunities for our youth. Since 1992, Tony has worn many hats for HCYP, from coach/manager of softball, baseball and basketball teams to commissioner of the minor and major league baseball leagues. Tony has also served local residents as a member of the Blandair Planning Committee, the Golf Advisory Board and the Recreation and Parks board.

Jim Carlan- As president (1996-2002), and later as chief operating officer, Jim presided over the tremendous growth of the Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County, which went from about 2,000 players to 6,000 during his tenure. Jim’s vision and perseverance were the driving forces behind the club’s development of a permanent soccer complex, known as Northrop Fields at Covenant Park. It opened in 2004. He negotiated major sponsorships for uniforms, equipment and the complex, and under his leadership the Simon Decker Tournament, an Outreach Program for disadvantaged youth, a U-19 recreation program, a short-sided league and other programs were initiated. He also coached from 1973 through 2006, and was named the 1993 Maryland State Youth Soccer Coach of the Year.

Don Disney- As a physical education teacher at Atholton Elementary School in 1977, Don incorporated jump roping into a choreographed dance routine to create “jump aerobics.” His students had so much fun with this new twist on jump roping that Don started a jump rope physical fitness club, the Kangaroo Kids. It was an immediate success. Don’s “Fitness Ambassadors,” as he called them, began demonstrating their skills locally and soon were performing throughout the United States, at sporting events, physical education conferences, parades, festivals and nursing homes. In 1983, Don became the athletics coordinator for the county’s schools and turned the club over to Jim McCleary and Jean Hodges. The precision jump rope team, now known worldwide, continues to inspire youngsters to have fun and get fit.

Karen Dye- For the past three decades, Karen has devoted her time to helping girls develop in sports. Her passion for field hockey and girls lacrosse is evident in her dedication to officiating, to training and evaluating officials and to the development of recreational leagues in Howard County. As a member of the Howard/Carroll Officials Association since 1978, and a current member of its board of directors, Karen officiates both field hockey and lacrosse at the recreational, high school and collegiate levels. She also serves as an administrator to these programs. An avid volunteer, Karen has served as tournament director for the Soccer Association of Columbia’s Invitational Memorial Day Tournament, as vice president of the Maryland Youth Soccer Association and as secretary of the Columbia Volksmarch Club.

Roger Hockey- For more than 25 years, Roger has worked tirelessly to benefit adult softball in Howard County and throughout Maryland, including military leagues. In 1982, he established an organization to provide USSSA officials to the county’s fledgling Men’s Softball League, which had formed a year earlier. Although his first role was to assign officials, as the program grew and expanded to offer tournaments, Roger’s involvement in softball grew as well. He has been involved in just about every aspect of softball in Howard County -- as a player, umpire, assignor, league commissioner, tournament director, grounds keeper and park attendant. He has trained officials, advocated for players and officials, and done all he can to ensure that participants have a quality program.

Helen Moody- As a long-time official and administrator, Helen has ensured that girls of all ages have well-trained officials for their field hockey and lacrosse games. A hockey official since 1970, Helen founded the Howard/Carroll Officials Association in 1978 to recruit, train and evaluate officials for recreational, high school and college games. When girls lacrosse was introduced to the county in the late-1980s, Helen played an essential role in the development of the sport by providing trained officials. She has always been active in the recreational leagues. Helen is now training high school girls to officiate youth games in the U.S. Lacrosse program. The number of officials who were trained by Helen and now officiate at the collegiate level is a testament to Helen’s commitment to the sport.

Stanley “Chick” Nedzel- Chick, along with Paul Hill, Phil Owens, Harold Hill and others, founded the Elkridge Youth Organization (EYO) in 1956-57. Many consider Chick, who championed the development and growth of EYO, to be the face of the organization. He served as a coach, manager, head umpire and commissioner and did whatever was necessary to provide the children of Elkridge, as well as Relay, Jessup, Dorsey and Savage, an opportunity to play baseball. He was instrumental in ensuring the fields, first located on Clark Boulevard field in Relay and later on donated land on Levering Avenue, were playable. At Rockburn Branch Park, now EYO’s home, there is a plaque dedicated to his memory by the grateful citizens of Elkridge.

Helen Moody and Karen Dye- For decades, Helen and Karen have been leaders in recruiting, training and providing officials for field hockey and girls lacrosse games at the recreational and high school levels in Howard County. Helen founded the Howard/Carroll County Officials Association in 1978 to meet the growing demands for hockey officials, and expanded the association when girls lacrosse was introduced into the county. Helen, who has been officiating since 1970, chairs the lacrosse officiating program. Karen, who began her officiating career in the late 1970s, is chair of the hockey program. In addition to their administrative duties, both officiate lacrosse and field hockey at the high school, recreational and collegiate levels and have played a significant role in the development of women’s sports.

Marie Curry- In the 1960s, when youth athletic programs were segregated, Marie started a baseball team for the young black men, including her sons, Paul and Mark, in the Guilford community. She soon joined with leaders in black communities in Baltimore City and Howard, Baltimore and Prince George’s counties to start the Jackie Robinson League. She was the only female manager and coach. Ma Curry, as her players called her, did whatever was necessary to ensure the boys’ success in sports and life – she organized practices, arranged transportation, kept the gray and red uniforms neat and clean, and emphasized good manners, respect for others and sportsmanship. Her teams won four championships in the league, which existed until athletic programs were integrated. Marie, who died in 2005, also founded a Cub Scout troop in Guilford.

Paul J. Donovan- For more than 25 years, Paul has devoted his time to helping the young men of Howard County to be better baseball players and better men. He began coaching in the Columbia Youth Baseball Association in 1982 and also served as vice president and as a commissioner (1985-2004). In 1988, he joined with John Lopez and Don Van Deusen to form the Columbia Reds, an elite team of high school and college-aged players that is recognized nationally. Many of the Reds have gone on to play college ball, several have been drafted by professional teams, and others are coaching. Paul always encourages his players to work hard, play the game the right way, respect opponents, have fun and, when the opportunity arises, to give back to others in any way they can.

James McCauley- Jim has been a tireless advocate for girls recreational sports programs since 1979 when he learned that the Columbia Basketball Association had no instructional clinics for his 6-year-old daughter. Jim soon formed one and served as commissioner. The clinic – for both boys and girls -- continues to be a key program in CBA. In 1981, he fought for equality in the girls leagues, such as appropriate age divisions, more gym time and better equipment. As commissioner, he initiated changes that had a dramatic impact on the quality of play, the girls’ skills, their confidence and their opportunities. Later, he organized the first CBA girls travel team, the Columbia Challenge. The team was the first Howard County to participate in – and win -- a Maryland AAU tournament and qualify for the national AAU tournament.

Bill McCormack Jr.- In 1974 Bill thought that Тin the sports world, girls were treated as second class citizensУ so he volunteered to coach in the Soccer Association of Columbia. Since then, during 67 seasons (34 years), he’s coached more than 500 girls and his Green Machine team has won 11 league championships. But Bill always stresses that it’s not the number of wins that should measure success, but how his players play the game. To provide more opportunities for girls, Bill created a clinic to focus on skill development. He also reorganized the recreational league into a tiered structure. In 1996 he was the recipient of the Jack and Ellie Boussy Award for outstanding service to youth soccer. Bill has also coached boys teams in the Columbia Basketball Association for 23 years.

Joseph Wall- Joe was a leader in developing and promoting youth and high school wrestling programs for more than 25 years. He filled many roles, from coach and commissioner of youth programs to the behind-the-scenes guy who made high school clinics and tournaments run smoothly. In 1971, Joe started the Columbia Optimist Junior Wrestling Program, which soon became a feeder program for high school teams. Two years later, he organized wrestling clinics in the county’s high schools, which led to the first Howard County Junior Wrestling Tournament (1975). He served as a volunteer coach at three high schools. Joe also coached in the Columbia Optimist Junior Football Program for 14 years. In 1982, Joe and Ray Page coached a Columbia Optimist team that won the Mid-Atlantic Pop Warner Football Tournament in the 11-13 age group.

James Yedlicka Jr.- As the recreation director for the Columbia Association during its infancy, Jim helped lay the foundation for many of Howard County’s most successful recreational programs. He contributed to baseball, softball and basketball leagues for youth and adults, and started a youth soccer clinic which eventually grew into the Soccer Association of Columbia. Those who remember Jim say he put his heart and soul into making Columbia’s recreation programs a role model for other communities. After his position as recreation director was phased out in 1977, he moved to Wilmington, N.C, where he was involved in other recreational programs. Jim, who died in 1992, was the recipient of numerous community service awards here and served on the Maryland Commission on Physical Fitness.

2006 Inductees
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Robert J. Baker- Bob has been an ardent supporter of Special Olympics since 1995 when, as a parent he began pitching in wherever he was needed. Since then, he has served Special Olympics Howard County as a coach, program coordinator, assistant director and director. Through his leadership, SOHC now has more participants, offers more sports and has a stronger financial base than ever before. Bob’s involvement has earned him numerous Howard County and Maryland honors, including Special Olympics Maryland Director of the Year (2001, 2002). The local chapter of Special Olympics has been named Outstanding Volunteer Community Group in Howard County (2002) and Special Olympics Maryland County Program of the Year (2000, 2001, 2002).

Peter Finck- Peter and tennis are a life-long match. He grew up on the courts, taught his sons to play the game he loved and then turned his attention to the local tennis community. For 15 years he was director of two popular events for youth, the Columbia Junior Open and The Columbia Flier tournament. Peter also ran the county’s high school championships (1985-2004) and was director of the Maryland State Outdoor Junior Championships for six years. Peter was president of the Maryland Tennis Association, an officer in the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association, served on US Tennis Association national committees and helped found the Howard County Tennis Association. Twice he was honored by MTA as tournament director of the year (1992, 2002).

Russ Flowers- Russ began his officiating career with recreational programs sponsored by the Columbia Association in the early 1970s. Because of his officiating skills and his engaging personality, he quickly established himself as the first great all-around sports official in the county. In the late 1970s he helped found the Howard County Officials Association and served as commissioner of officials in adult softball, basketball and football programs. Russ has officiated all levels of recreational sports, including two national softball tournaments. Though his skills eventually led to high school and collegiate officiating, Russ continued to be involved as an official, administrator, rules clinician, recruiter and trainer at the recreational level for both adult and youth sports. Because of the groundwork Russ laid, the county has a strong officiating association that responds to the needs of today’s recreational athlete.

Carol and Philip Hearn- For more than two decades, Carol and Woody worked tirelessly to provide athletic opportunities for girls in the Howard County Youth Program. When they began coaching an HCYP softball team in 1971, they found that the organization offered only one other program for girls – cheerleading. They expanded the offerings by starting basketball and volleyball leagues and an instructional softball program, and all the programs quickly grew. Carol and Woody served as coaches, officials and commissioners and they worked to update uniforms and playing fields. In 1984, they received outstanding achievement awards for Тunselfish supportУ from HCYP. As officials, coaches and sponsors, Carol and Woody have contributed to adult women’s softball and basketball programs as well.

P.J. Kesmodel- P.J.’s name is synonymous with lacrosse in Howard County, but he first became involved in local sports in 1968 as a coach for the Forest Hill swim team. Under his direction, the program became the largest and one of the most competitive summer swim leagues in the state. P.J. later helped found the Central Maryland Swim League by merging three large summer leagues. In the 1970s, he founded a boys lacrosse summer league that eventually affiliated with Hero’s, Inc. P.J. has served either as league director, president or chairman of the board of directors every year since then. After the league added girls teams, P.J. spearheaded the effort to add girls lacrosse to the county’s high school sports program in the late 1980s. P.J. was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame (Baltimore Chapter) in 2004. Thanks to P.J.’s early efforts, Howard County is known in the region for its Lacrosse Programs.

Adelaine Stocks- In the early 1980s, Addie recognized the need for additional recreational programs for youngsters in the western part of Howard County. She was the sole impetus, founder and administrator of the Western Howard Soccer League, which now serves thousands of youngsters at the recreational level. Addie was involved in all aspects of building the fledgling league, from developing public relations materials, recruiting and training coaches and officials, writing its rules and bylaws, ordering equipment, and coaching. She also served as the league’s first commissioner. From the very beginning, Addie established a policy that required all coaches be certified by the American Coaching Effectiveness Program (now known as American Sport Education Program) which stresses an Тathlete firstУ philosophy. The foundation Addie built has ensured the continued development of the league.

Robert Vigorito- Rob’s passion for triathlons has earned him international acclaim and has solidified Howard County’s reputation for hosting one of the nation’s top events. When he became race director of the Columbia Triathlon in its third year (1986), it was mostly a small, regional event. Rob soon turned it into a Тmust-doУ race that fills to capacity (1,700 triathletes) every year. Rob established the Columbia Triathlon Association to manage 700 volunteers and to facilitate the race, which is based at Centennial Park. The community has benefited from Rob’s leadership: CTA has donated more than a half million dollars to local organizations. He also served on the board of USA Triathlon, as the Mid-Atlantic regional director.

2005 Inductees
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Anton Aardrup- When his children joined the Savage Boys and Girls Club in the 1970s, Tony became an active volunteer and continued to work for the club and the children in the community until his retirement to Florida in 1992. He worked tirelessly to promote fair play and discourage drug use by giving children a well-run sports program. Tony served as president of the club (1980-86), and as commissioner of the baseball (1980-86) and basketball (1980-92) programs. He was a coach, an umpire and a referee, and was instrumental in starting the club's programs for cheerleading (1990) and soccer (1988). Tony also promoted many family activities and fundraisers for the club. In 1982, Tony organized the first 13-15 Babe Ruth baseball league in the county, and opening day was dedicated in his honor.