July 1, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Anna Hunter, Superintendent of Public Information & Marketing, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4686
Allan Harden, Superintendent, Sports and Adventure Services, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4652
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – In honor of July’s National Parks and Recreation Month, Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks has revealed the names of the four newest inductees of the Community Sports Hall of Fame: Tim Arnett, Joe Dougherty, Doug Hamilton and Alex Pagnotta. Each year, the Community Sports Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals for their commitment or notable contribution to community sports in Howard County.
“I want to extend my congratulations to our new ‘Community Sports Hall of Fame’ induction class. I commend all four of these individuals for volunteering their time and energy to serve our young people,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Howard County is able to offer such outstanding youth sports thanks to the dedication of role models like our inductees.”
Volunteer Tim Arnett has served Howard County youth sports programs for 23 years. In addition to coaching baseball with the Elkridge Youth Organization (EYO) and coaching basketball and baseball for the Howard County Youth Program (HCYP), Tim has also acted as a commissioner and board member for both organizations. Tim is also responsible for the creation of EYO’s tennis program, working tirelessly to secure access to local courts and ensure the program’s success. While Tim relocated to Annapolis this year in preparation for a well-deserved retirement, his trademark dry sense of humor and remarkable dedication to youth sports in Howard County will be remembered for years to come.
From 1995 to 2006, Joe Dougherty was a tremendous asset to the Howard County Lacrosse Program (HCLP), Cobra Lacrosse and Centennial High School’s fall and indoor lacrosse leagues. Over the years, Joe served as a volunteer coach, equipment manager, board member and HCLP president. As a role model, Joe emphasized that principles, such as good sportsmanship and fair play, were more important than winning a game. He was even responsible for the creation of a financial aid fund, which allowed more children to participate in lacrosse programs. Joe is a testament to how Howard County sports programs challenge participants to not only become better players, but become good citizens as well.
Howard County resident Alex Pagnotta has worn many hats, including participating in and creating a number of youth sports programs. Alex is a founding board member of the Western Howard County Warhawks Football/Cheerleading program, Warhawks Wrestling, Warhawks Field Hockey and Mid-Maryland Youth Football & Cheer. He has also volunteered countless hours as a coach for Howard County Wrestling, Vipers Wrestling, the Howard County Lacrosse Program, the Hero’s Tournament Lacrosse Club and Glenelg High School’s women’s lacrosse program/team. Although his involvement in coaching initially grew as his children became old enough to participate in sports, Alex has remained an active volunteer coach and board member even as his youngest son aged out of youth programs. For hundreds of young athletes past and present, Alex is a respected mentor and role model.
Since 1994, Doug Hamilton has supported young athletes in Howard County with enthusiastic support and guidance in a variety of different games. Beginning as a SAC/HC Soccer and Western Howard County Soccer coach, Doug went on to coach teams for Warhawks Football, Howard County Rugby (Ellicott City Express) and the Howard Stampede Field Hockey Program. Today, he is the co-founder and head coach of the Alpha Hockey Club and continues to volunteer coach for Howard Stampede. Parents are quick to describe him as “generous in his time,” both in his coaching on the field and in his willingness to provide advice or a letter of recommendation to college-bound players. Through these efforts, Doug has helped make Howard County a supportive and healthy environment for young athletes.
The 2019 induction ceremony will take place at the 17th annual Celebration of Sports on October 29, 2019 at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center. Tickets are $42 each or $420 for a table of 10. Tickets may also be purchased at Recreation & Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. For more information, call 410-313-1691.
The County’s “Community Sports Hall of Fame” is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located at Recreation & Parks Headquarters. To learn more about the Hall of Fame, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/halloffame.