ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks has announced the names of the three newest inductees into the Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame: Andy Bonavitacola, Brian Chadwick, and Chris Jakubek. Each year, the Community Sports Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals for their commitment or notable contribution to community sports in Howard County.
Howard County provides the best opportunities for recreational sports to athletes of all ages and abilities, and our newest inductees exemplify that commitment through the immense amount of time, energy, and dedication to our athletic community and sports programming. Their unwavering commitment has inspired, improved, and encouraged our youth to get up, get out, and get active.
With Recreation & Parks’ assistance, Andy Bonavitacola started the Elkridge Hurricanes Football Program because he wanted to create more opportunities for football in Howard County, especially in Elkridge and Ellicott City. Through unwavering dedication, heart, and determination, the program grew beyond Andy’s expectations, becoming a “fun learning environment with a family feel” as often described. In fact, just a couple years after Andy founded the football program, his wife Drema founded the Hurricanes Cheerleading. When it came to the program, the first days of Elkridge Hurricanes football camp were always Andy’s favorite. Up at the crack of dawn and there until late at night, Andy was always on hand full of energy, greeting players and parents, giving direction with a smile, and always eager to help anyone with anything.
A pivotal part of the Vipers Wrestling organization, Brian Chadwick has volunteered his time coaching Howard County wrestlers at all levels, including clinic, rec, travel, and high school, for more than 20 years. In the early days of the Vipers organization, Brian worked with Jean Shea and Howard County Wrestling Commissioner Wade Wray to develop the three levels of wrestling competition – clinic, rec, and travel, that still exist today. This early work was fundamental to the establishment of the Vipers and in developing a community-based program that offered Howard County youth the opportunity to try and take part in the sport. Since then, the Vipers program has seen wrestlers advance to compete at the high school and collegiate level, all while fostering the values and sportsmanship that help build the character of each wrestler. When not coaching, Brian could be found doing administrative work to ensure the 100 percent volunteer-coach Viper Wrestling program was a success.
Chris Jakubek was an avid participant in, and leader of Howard County youth sports for 24 years. Starting in 2001, Chris began volunteering his time in Howard County youth sports as a coach, age-group coordinator, sports commissioner, and president of the Elkridge Youth Organization (EYO). Alongside Marc Crumback, Chris helped create the Memorial Day Stars and Strikes Baseball Tournament, which has since grown to be the largest youth baseball tournament in Maryland. During his tenure, EYO experienced significant membership growth in all sports and was firmly established as one of the premier youth sports organizations in Howard County. In addition to his leadership roles in EYO, Chris also created the EYO rec baseball umpire program in 2010 and the EYO rec basketball referee program in 2011. In 2014, he created the Maryland Youth Sports Officials, which provides umpire services for several youth sports organizations in Howard County and the Alliance baseball and softball programs at Recreation & Parks. Chris’s long-term dedication and devotion to youth sports in Howard County has made sports better for players, parents, coaches, and officials.
The success of our sports leagues and programs relies heavily on the dedication of coaches, volunteers, and mentors. Our newest inductees have brought an unwavering passion and love of sports during their years of service to our community. They serve as an inspiration to the future leaders of our sports leagues and programs who we hope will one day serve our community with the same passion for sports.
The induction ceremony will take place at the 22nd Celebration of Sports on Tuesday, October 27th at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City. This year’s keynote speaker is Joanna Lohman, a former member of U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and the Washington Spirit and an upcoming contestant on Season 39 of CBS's The Amazing Race. Tickets are $49 per person or $490 for a table of 10 people. To RSVP or to purchase tickets, please call Michael Blevins at 410-313-1668 or email mblevins@howardcountymd.gov.
To learn more about the Community Sports Hall of Fame, visit HCRP Sports "Community Sports Hall of Fame" webpage.