48th Annual Alvin G. Quinn Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The 48th annual YMCA of Frederick County Alvin G. Quinn Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday, January 27, at 6 pm at the New Spire Arts.
Each year the YMCA recognizes individuals who, through their accomplishments and contributions in the field of athletics, have brought honor to themselves and to Frederick County. Alvin G. Quinn was the Executive Director of the YMCA of Frederick County from 1919 to 1960. No individual has ever had such an impact on so many of the area’s young people during his 40-year career as did Mr. Quinn.
Six new inductees will be recognized:
Mike Anders
Multi-Sport Star
Mike Anders, a Thomas Johnson High School standout, carved his legacy in both baseball and basketball, excelling on the high school and college levels in both sports. In high school, he was named the Frederick News-Post Player of the Year as a senior in both baseball and basketball, leaving an indelible mark as a skilled pitcher and prolific scorer. Notably, Anders was the winning pitcher in the 1992 Maryland state championship game and he still holds the school record for most career pitching wins.
Transitioning to college, Anders continued to shine at Bucknell University, earning a spot in the Athletic Hall of Fame for baseball. His accolades include Patriot League Pitcher of the Year in 1998, two appearances on all-conference teams. He also holds records for career wins and innings pitched at Bucknell. He also played for Bucknell’s men’s basketball team until opting to focus on baseball starting in 1996.
Post-college, Anders continued his baseball journey in the Independent League with the Newburgh Black Diamonds and Allentown Ambassadors.
Niki Novocin Eastley
Field Hockey Standout
Niki Novocin Eastley has earned the distinction of one of the greatest field hockey players to hail from Frederick County, and she is still contributing to the game today.
Her accolades trace back to high school, where she was an integral part of Linganore’s 1993 Maryland Class 3A field hockey state championship team. Niki showcased her leadership and defensive prowess and was named Frederick County Defensive Player of the Year that season.
Her collegiate journey at Boston College was equally impressive, marked by academic excellence and on-field achievements. As a scholarship athlete, Niki garnered recognition as a 1998 NCAA Regional All-American, Big East First Team All-Conference player, and Big East Defensive Player of the Week. Her impact contributed to three Big East championships and NCAA Tournament appearances for Boston College.
Transitioning seamlessly from player to coach, Niki has dedicated herself to nurturing young talents. Her coaching roles at Clarksburg High School and various clubs exemplify her commitment to developing field hockey players at both the high school and club levels. Beyond coaching, Niki has contributed to the sport as an umpire, officiating at state-level competitions and high school field hockey leagues.
Beyond the sports community, Niki also serves in her church community as the current President of the Women’s Organization. Her multifaceted contributions as a player, coach, and leader underscore her profound impact on the field hockey community.
Jenn Ford
Dominating Distance Runner
Jenn Ford, a distinguished alumna of Thomas Johnson High School, marked her athletic journey with resounding success. As a North Florida track standout, she won three NCAA Division II national titles and garnered five All-America selections. A pioneer at the University of North Florida, she was inducted into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame and two of the four school records she set in 2001 still stand over two decades later.
Beyond college, Jenn continued her stride, conquering the Boston and New York Marathons with impressive 3:16 finishes. In 2016, she set a personal record of 8:16:45 in the JFK 50-miler, showcasing her endurance prowess. She was the first-place women’s finisher in nine of the 26 races, none shorter than marathon distance, in which she competed between 2013-2019
During her high school years, Jenn displayed exceptional talent, winning four state titles in distances ranging from 1,600 meters to cross country. In three of those state title performances, she posted the fastest overall time among all four classification performers.
Beyond her own athletic feats, she has extended her passion by coaching middle school and high school track teams in Washington, and has mentored her son’s youth soccer team at her local YMCA in Virginia.
John Fowler
Hometown Hero
John Fowler’s journey in the world of baseball is a storied tale of a local player who was able to play professionally in his hometown.
His athletic prowess surfaced early when he led the 1981 Brunswick Little League All-Star team to a state title, earning himself MVP of the league that same year. John was a three-time All-MVAL selection during his time at Brunswick High School, which culminated in being named the Frederick News-Post County Player of the Year in 1986. During his high school career, he was part of Frederick’s 16-18-year-old team that competed in the 1985 Babe Ruth World Series.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1986 draft following high school, but turned it down to attend Frederick Community College, were he ended up as a two-time JuCo all-state selection. Again, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1988 and this time signed, which started his professional career. He had stints with the Bluefield Orioles and Wausaw Timbers before becoming only the fifth local player to play for the Frederick Keys.
Beyond his playing days, John’s commitment to the game and his community is evident through coaching stints at Little League and travel baseball for both Frederick and Brunswick. His influence extends to football and basketball coaching, emphasizing his dedication to shaping young athletes.
Danny Miller
Big Success in a Little League
Danny Miller’s coaching journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment and impact on Frederick National Little League for an astounding 45 years. Beginning this journey at the age of 14, Danny’s dedication and leadership shone through as he progressed from assistant coach (1978-1984) to head coach (1985-2023). His impressive 545-237 record includes 18 league championships, five Frederick City championships, and two Maryland District 2 Tournament of Champions titles.
In his extensive tenure, Danny managed All-Star teams for both 9-10 and 11-12 year-olds, securing a total of 10 District 2 championships (three wit the 9-10s, seven with the 11-12s). His 2000 9-10 All-Star team won the state title, 2012 9-10 team was state runner-up and 2019 11-12 team was the state runner-up.
His role extends beyond coaching, as he served as the grounds crew at Staley Stadium, which is among the best Little League facilities in the region.
Danny’s coaching legacy transcends sports, as he has also coached middle school girls’ basketball since 1999, showcasing his versatility and dedication to youth sports in the county. Despite coaching some of Frederick’s best players, including Doug Smallwood, Darnell Whims, Branden Kline, and Joey Hammond, Danny remains incredibly humble, deflecting credit to his players’ success. His positive influence is evident in the trust his parents place in him, making Danny Miller a cornerstone of the Frederick community and embodying the core values of caring and responsibility at the YMCA.
Susan House Pardo
Versatile Contributor
Susan House Pardo’s 33-year teaching career at Walkersville High School reflects her dedication to education, athletics, and community service. Specializing in health and physical education, she has left an indelible mark on countless students, earning Superior and Distinguished Evaluations from administrators. Beyond the classroom, Susan co-facilitated inclusion programs for special education in physical education.
Her extensive involvement in coaching and athletics includes roles as an assistant athletic director, head varsity swimming coach, and head girls’ varsity basketball coach. She also has spent more than 35 years as a field hockey official in the county. Susan’s impact extends beyond sports, with her contributions to emergency medical services and safety committees at Walkersville High School.
She’s also noted as putting safety first and served as one of the first on-location trainers for athletic events in Frederick County.
Recognized as a 2015 FCPS Teacher of the Year Finalist, Susan’s influence goes beyond the school walls. She serves on the Safety and Security Committee, Crisis Team, and Epi-pen Administration Team. Her commitment to community service is exemplified through her roles in the Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Company, American Red Cross, and various fundraisers.
Susan’s personal athletic achievements include scoring 14 points in the final as Middletown won a state title-winning girls’ basketball team. She also was the leader in free throw percentage at Frederick Community College and played in the JuCo Region XX All-Star Game.
Started in 2020, the Rising Star Award, goes to a Frederick County individual or team who demonstrated exceptional accomplishments and contributions in their athletic field in the past year. The 2024 recipients are Kaylee Franklin and James Partlow.
Kaylee Franklin is a Senior at Middletown High School. She is a multi-sport athlete excelling both in athletics and academics. Kaylee is a varsity letter winner in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track, Basketball and Flag Football. She maintains a 4.1 weighted G.P.A. and is a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and the ASL Honor Society. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and MHS Unicef. Athletically, her greatest accomplishments come in Flag Football and Track and Field. Kaylee was recently named as First Team All County for Flag Football, and led her team as starting quarterback as the first ever Maryland State Flag Football State Champions. She was honored by the Ravens as Offensive MVP for the Knights in the regular season and of the state tournament. Her Jersey will be framed and kept in honor at the Raven’s Under Armour practice facility. In track and field, Kaylee has excelled at the high school and National level. This past summer she qualified for the AAU Nationals in Iowa in the discus, javelin and heptathlon after winning the gold medal in all three events at the Region 3 National qualifying meet. In Iowa, Kaylee placed 21st Nationally in the heptathlon and came home as an All-American in javelin finishing 5th in the Nation. This was Kaylee’s third time on the podium and second time being named as an All-American. This past November Kaylee was recognized as the female 17 year old, AAU State Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Currently, Kaylee is captain of the Middletown Varsity Girls’ basketball team and is one of the leading scores and defensive players on the team. She is also dually participating in Indoor Track and Field. Kaylee anticipates a successful spring track season with expectations to return to the 2A Maryland State Championship after already earning multiple state medals/ribbons in various events since her freshman year. Kaylee is a natural leader and born athlete. She is on the rise and will continue her athletic career at the D1 level. Kaylee signed her National Letter of Intent to compete with the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks Track & Field Team. One of the things Kaylee is most proud of, is her unwavering commitment. In her 4 years as an athlete, she has never missed a single competition or practice for the exception of her official college visits. She believes leading is not just in word but in action.
James Partlow is a Senior at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. James is an exceptional student-athlete and Officer in the Junior Naval ROTC program. James maintains a 4.65 weighted GPA and is currently ranked in the top 4% of his class. As an executive member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Patriot Army; James expands his influence as a leader throughout the school. James has recently earned an endorsement to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis to continue his academic and athletic career. He sets a high standard of excellence in all facets of life. Athletically, James is second to none in the county and state in cross country and track and field distance events. He has been named Runner of the Year for the Frederick News Post, First Team All County for both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Finalist for the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year, and Nike All-American finishing 16th in the Nation out of 199 runners at the Nike US Cross Country Finals in Portland, Oregon. He is currently the CMC, FCPS County, Regional and State Cross Country Champion. James also has been crowned indoor and outdoor county champion in the 1600 meter, 1500 meter, 3000 meter, and 3200 meter. Last spring he won silver in both the 1600 meter and 3200 meter at the 3A MPSSAA State meet. He is predicted to earn gold and be named state champion in both events this spring. This past fall he broke the state record at Bull Run for 4A. James holds 4 different school records at GTJHS. He leads as a captain during all 3 seasons. James is a young man of high integrity and character. Although he is often on top of the podium in the world of sport, he is humble and respectful to all he meets. In addition to his appointment to the US Naval Academy, James has captured the attention of major Division 1 athletic programs, including the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. James is most proud of his continuous improvement and conquest of the next PR. He is never satisfied and does not believe in complacency. His high school coach, Larry O’Hara states: James has consistently displayed a level of dedication, discipline, and determination that sets him apart from his peers. He will leave a legacy of excellence to follow at GTJHS.
The ceremony will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the New Spires Arts in downtown Frederick (15 W Patrick Street). Doors open to ticket holders at 6 pm with a reception from 6-7 pm with the induction ceremony beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis, available in-person at either YMCA branch, or for purchase online.
The Alvin G. Quinn Sports Hall of Fame collection is located at the Downtown campus of the YMCA of Frederick County, 1000 N. Market Street, Frederick. It is accessible to the public. Permanent and rotating displays of photographs and memorabilia honor Frederick County’s finest athletes, coaches, and athletic and community supporters.
