I recently retired as the Recreation Manager for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. Presently I serve as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative for the National Alliance for Youth Sports. I also started the Hondo Handy’s Podcast. I was honored to serve as the Keynote Speaker for the 2021 Commencement Ceremony for Stephen Decatur High School’s Graduation.
I retired as the Recreation Manager for the Ocean City Recreation & Parks Department after 39 years and 3 months. I was an Ocean City Two Time Citizen of the Year. I was awarded the Key to the City twice by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. www.oceancitymd.gov. In 2019, the Ocean City Recreation & Parks Sportsmanship Award was renamed the Al “Hondo” Handy Sportsmanship Award. I received the Maryland Recreation & Parks Association highest award the Citation Award. I was named Best Youth Organization Director by Coastal Style Magazine.
Since my retirement I have been trying to finish writing my book, “Family, Sports & Recreation. At my retirement I, along with the “Friends of Al Hondo Handy,” raised $7695 for the John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center. Since my retirement I have been trying to finish writing my book, Family, Sports & Recreation.
I am currently a member of the Advisory Council for the National Alliance for Youth Sports, based out of West Palm Beach, Florida. I have been a member of NAYS for more than 30 years. I also served as the National Global Gear Drive Coordinator for the National Alliance for Youth Sports Certified Youth Sports Administrators Alumni. The Global Gear Drive collected new and used sports equipment and shipped to underprivileged children around the world, www.nays.org.
The Hondo Handy’s podcast shares the journey of athletes across the country, Recreation Professionals stories throughout the nation, the importance of youth sports coaches certification and Good Sportsmanship in youth sports, how youth sporting events improve the economy and how Ocean City Amusements and Attractions can benefit both locals and visitors. Available on your favorite platform.
I received my undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University, where I played basketball, baseball, soccer and ran indoor track.
I received Governor’s Citations Citations from Governor Paris Glendening, Governor Robert Ehrlich, Governor Martin O’Malley and Governor Larry Hogan.
I am a Certified Youth Sports Administrator and a Certified Recreation & Parks Professional.
I promote “Sportsmanship” to youth in and around Ocean City, Maryland and I am an advocate of the National Alliance for Youth Sports “Lets Talk Sports” program that teaches youth life skills through sports. This “FREE program teaches leadership, self improvement self confidence, loyalty, pride, teamwork, sportsmanship and anti-bullying. Helping kids be tomorrow’s leaders through sports. www.nays.org/programs/lets-talk-sports
I currently serve on the:
- Worcester County Board of Education Foundation Board
- Atlantic General Hospital Foundation
- Atlantic General Hospital Corporate Board
- Salisbury University Maroon & Gold Club Board. One of the premier programs in NCAA Division III athletics.
I am an Advisory Board Member for the Worcester County Recreation & Parks Department, www.worcesterrecandparks.org
I am a member of Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club and the Greater Berlin Minority Scholarship Committee.
I also played basketball (Coach Ward Lambert), baseball (Coach Deane Deshon), soccer (Coach Ben Maggs), and track (Coach Lloyd Sigler) for Salisbury University.
I play the guard position, along with former Clemson University Men’s Head Basketball Coach Oliver Purnell. We won the Class B High School State Championship at the University of Maryland, while playing for Stephen Decatur High School, as juniors. We reached the State Finals in our sophomore, junior and senior years.
I am so proud to have been selected as the "Athlete of the Year" my senior year in high school. I was also selected to the All District Basketball Team.
