The induction class for this year's Community Sports Hall of Fame includes seven individuals who have made major contributions to Howard County's recreation and sports programs. The seven -- Tony Brudis, Jim Carlan, Don Disney, Karen Dye, Roger Hockey, Helen Moody and the late Stanley "Chick" Nedzel -- will be inducted Oct. 20 at the sixth annual Celebration of Sport at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center, in Ellicott City.

Brudis has been involved in the Howard County Youth Program since 1992 when he began coaching softball, baseball and basketball. He moved on to become league commissioner and also served as president of HCYP's Board of Directors. Much of the improvement at Kiwanis-Wallas Park, including the addition of lights and new scoreboards, was because of Brudis' involvement.

Carlan has been involved with the Soccer Association of Columbia for three decades and has served the past 12 years as that organization's chief operating officer. Starting his career in soccer as an assistant coach, Carlan was one of the driving forces behind the development of Northrop Fields at Covenant Park.

Most people remember Disney as one of this county's most effective athletics coordinators. They forget that Disney was an elementary school physical education teacher. In that capacity, in 1978, he established the Kangaroo Club, which evolved into the Kangaroo Kids, a precision jump rope team that continues to thrill people here and abroad. Disney is currently the facilitator of health and physical education for the El Paso (Texas) Independent School District.

The name "Roger Hockey" and "softball officiating" are synonymous. Hockey began recruiting and providing umpires for the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association softball league in 1978. When that program merged with recreation and parks, he established the USSSA Softball Officiating organization. Hockey is still involved with softball as an administrator, tournament director and official.

Moody began her officiating career in the early 1970s in field hockey and then girls lacrosse. She was one of the co-founders of the Howard/Carroll Officials Association in 1978 and is currently the lacrosse chairwoman for that group. In 2002, she was inducted into the Howard County Women's Hall of Fame.

Dye has been officiating for the past 30 years and she trains and mentors officials in field hockey and lacrosse. Karen is the current field hockey chair of the Howard/Carroll Officials Association. In 2006, she was inducted into the Howard County Women's Hall of Fame. Dye has been a regular panelist on the Rotary Club's Bob Davidson Scholar-Athlete Committee.

Nedzel was one of the founders of the Elkridge Youth Organization in 1956. He was one of the backbones of the EYO in its early years and could be seen on the weekends and in the early evening maintaining the fields. Throughout his years with the EYO, Chick Nedzel did it all as a coach, manager, head umpire, commissioner, mentor and friend. He ended most arguments with his umpire call of "Let's play ball."

Soccer coach needed for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Howard County is looking for an individual to coach in its fall soccer program. The applicant must be older than 18 and previous coaching experience is helpful. Training will be provided for this volunteer position. Call 410-740-0500.

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