Wiley Baker nominated by Rich Pfeifer for Contributions to Greater Glen Burnie Junior Sports League

Wiley Baker has run the basketball program for Greater Glen Burnie Junior Sports League the past 8 years. During that time he increased participation by 100 players to over 400 a year.  He operates the basketball camps and serves as head coach of the select basketball teams that have won over 10 county championships.  He has also served as assistant coach for baseball.

Bob Bradshaw nominated by Anne Bradshaw for Contributions to Davidsonville Athletic Association

Bob Bradshaw has worked to strengthen the organization and sports in the Davidsonville community.  Under his leadership, Davidsonville Athletic Association grew from 500 participants to over 2700.  His other accomplishments are improvements to sports facilities in the community:  getting fields built at Davidsonville Family Recreation Center; working closely with the County to develop Davidsonville Park; working with Del. Boschert to procure a $500,000 bond bill for lighting at the park and heading the fundraiser that raised $40K for a wood floor and scoreboard at Davidsonville ES.

Robert (Bob) Burgess nominated by Lisa Freburger for Contributions to Panthers Athletic Club

Bob Burgess gives many long hours of volunteering and always goes above and beyond the call of duty.  He has served 7 consecutive years on the Board and manages all the fundraising activities – that’s a big job.  His alter ego is as the Panther mascot and he dresses in a panther costume (no matter how hot (it is) and uncomfortable) to bring smiles to fans and athletes alike, posing for pictures with children and helping the cheerleaders relax at competitions.

Wayne Dustin nominated by Jay Furr for Contributions to United Youth Club

Under Wayne Dustin’s leadership, UYC has grown in membership and influence and provides more and more  opportunities for children to participate in sports in South County.   He has coached as head or assistant in all these sports:  T-ball, fast pitch, soccer, lacrosse and basketball and not only for his own team but pinch-hitting when another coach became incapacitated.  He now serves on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.

Ray & Delores Everhart nominated by Nolly Fisher for Contributions to Downs Park

Ray and Delores Everhart volunteer at Downs Park in many capacities.  They have won the coveted “Golden Trowel” award for best garden and they design, plant and tend the flower beds at the Gatehouse and at Mother’s Gardens.  In addition, they volunteer at the Park’s craft shows and every fall they teach families how to make straw scarecrows.  Ray has also been helping as a maple syrup volunteer for 10 years.

Don Harrison nominated by Josh Roach for Contributions to Girls Lacrosse Association of AACo

Don got involved in lacrosse first as a coach for Broadneck Youth Lacrosse and then became president of the newly-formed Girls Lacrosse Assoc of AACo.  One of his first jobs was just finding enough referees to hold games – he got the program going from the very beginning.  He works about 30 hours each week during the season and now oversees about 2,000 girls.  He has launched a new program for girls who want to play but don’t have the time or skills to play on the most competitive teams.  He believes in the character-building aspect of sports, loves to see the girls gain confidence and wants to give them opportunities to participate.
 
Lee Haydon nominated by Kelly Burnett for Contributions to Elvaton Recreation Association

Lee Haydon has been an invaluable asset to the Elvaton Rec Assoc for over 17 years and held many leadership positions:  President, Commissioner, coach and representative to the area league.  He is dedicated and fair and gives thoughtful consideration to all sides of an issue.  The Board of Directors appreciates these natural leadership skills but what is even more important is that he extends his generosity and fine example of character to the girls he coaches.  He insists that each girl show respect to their teammates, other athletes and officials and the first words out of his mouth after a game, win or lose, are “Did you have fun?”  Yes, they always have fun, but in addition they are learning valuable life lessons about honor and integrity.

Dwain Jones nominated by Steven Richard for Contributions to Gambrills-Odenton Recreation Council

Dwain Jones has been working for GORC for 8 years and puts in many hours and fills formal positions and informal roles as football coach and commissioner and VP for Boys Programs.  He has spearheaded projects such as constructing an $80,000 tower for announcing games; researching field restoration and contracting out the job; and initiating a summer instructional football camp.  He has stepped in for other coaches, resolved conflicts and campaigns to the Board to support every child so that each has the opportunity to play.  He is committed to providing safe and worthwhile sports programs for children in the community.

Dave Kelly nominated by Steve McHale for Contributions to Annapolis Baseball Club

Dave Kelly provides leadership for the Club as an officer.  He was treasurer for 5 years and VP for 3 years and he has done almost every type of work for the Club:  90% of the administrative work including registration fees, insurance, accounting, etc;  commissioner of machine pitch for 4 years; coaching the rec and select teams for 10 years; he creates the schedules for the rec league teams; and designs and operates the ABC website. 

Tony Liberto nominated by Ron Mox for Contributions to Broadneck Area Youth Sports

Tony Liberto has been dedicated to Boys Lacrosse and the BAYS for 17 years.  He has served as head and assistant coach and commissioner for Broadneck and done everything necessary to ensure that over 350 children yearly have a good sports experience.  He sets up fields for games, runs the clinic league, officiates as field marshall, timekeeper and scorekeeper.  He is an extension of the Department of Recreation and Parks and has been president of the County-wide Coaches Association for the past 3 years.

Nancy Morton nominated by Bruce McPherson for Contributions to Greater Odenton Improvement Association

Nancy Morton has worked tirelessly with many organizations to develop the open space at the north end of the WB &A Trail in Odenton into a desirable community park. She has become involved with the AA County Friends of the Trails organization and county officials to gather grants from local corporations and generate community support for this project.  She has gotten the Odenton Heritage Society and the Greater Odenton Improvement Association involved in the beautification projects with landscaping, installing benches and an historical exhibit.

Joan Peacock nominated by Josh Roach for Contributions to AA County Youth Cheerleading Association

Joan Peacock became involved with youth cheerleading in 1997 when she saw a need to be met.  She served as cheerleading commissioner for the Crofton Athletic Council and works hard to fundraise and keep fees low for all girls who wish to participate.  She raised cheeleading from a sideline activity to a competition sport and recently has helped girls county-wide throught her  efforts to strengthen the sport with the AA Co Youth Cheerleading Assoc.  As secretary she wrote the by-laws to establish this organization and she is the go-to person for our Department for any cheerleading issue.

Jesse Simmerman nominated by Ron Mox for Contributions to Annapolis Soccer Club

This is Jesse Simmerman’s 21st year of dedication to soccer in Anne Arundel County. He first became involved with Annapolis Soccer Club, where he strengthened the organization with his leadership as president for 2 decades and brought the Club from several dozen players to over 1,000, through AAYSL (where he served as president for 2 terms.  He has also worked county-wide through AAAYSL where he served as president for two terms. He has done every job from buying uniforms and equipment, to setting up fields, to serving as commissioner and coach, all as a volunteer.  Jesse’s contributions are unending as he coordinates spring, fall and winter soccer programs.

Sandy Teliak nominated by Chris Swarth for Contributions to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Sandy Teliak gives many hours to the Jug Bay Preserve and helps with a wide range of projects as a volunteer and member of the board of directors.  He has a high energy level for every project he takes on and accomplishes all his tasks completely and thoroughly.  Sandy devotes himself both to physical projects and mental, at-the-desk computer work.  He routinely arrives at 6:00 am in the summer to erect nets for a songbird study.  He pored over the data to seek patterns and trends.  He has helped construct bridges, clear fences, and break up old sheds. Sandy demonstrates enthusiasm for every job he undertakes and his knowledge and dedication make him an important ambassador for Jug Bay and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Neil Turner nominated by Michael Murdoch for Contributions to Quiet Waters Park

Neil Turner has led the Friends of QWP organization for 3 years and has raised thousands of dollars for park projects.  He has served as website developer, arts festival chair, newsletter editor, secretary, VP and president.  He has been a strong supporter of the QW Dog Park and his efforts have made the park’s Friends group the strongest it has ever been.  He is an inspiration to the park’s volunteers and staff alike with his leadership qualities and dedication.

John (Buddie) Watkins nominated by Rick Wheatley for Contributions to Maryland South Baseball Association

Buddie Watkins has contributed to Southern Maryland Little League for over 40 years – He coached Annapolis area teams for approximately 30 years during the 50s, 60s and 70s and now performs voluntary maintenance on the Riva/ Sylvan Shores baseball field.  The hours he has devoted are impossible to calculate, as her is now retired and spends almost all his spare time mowing, dragging the infield, lining the field for games and repairing whatever is needed.  He has built benches, backstops, sheds and concession stands and in short, makes it possible for teams to use the fields.