Dick West
2007 Hall of Fame Inductee
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Here Hall of Fame recipient Dick West receives his award from presenter John Kniesly. Dick was honored and took a moment to describe his efforts of organizing the sport of waterskiing between all the lakes in Indiana back in the 50's
There is a moment in the life of every organization when, if it doesn't gain critical traction and momentum it will fail before reaching it's objective. Consider that in the 1950's when there was no internet allowing instant communication with new Indiana State Ski Club members and prospects via e-mail and postings on a web site. Recognizing that regular communication to the freshly recruited membership would be necessary to sustain the group's enthusiasm, ISSC organizer Tommy Perrine sought out the help of a young man who would prove to be a proficient and entertaining communicator. Authoring and mailing from 1951 to 1955 our man kept skiers across the northern part of the state - epicenter of waterskiing in Indiana - aware of the goings on at Lake Maxinkuckee, Tippecanoe, Wawasee, Clear, Bass and the St. Joseph and the White Rivers, the latter group representing the southern organized skiing group in the ISSC. Those news letters kept interest and energy high by informing members of upcoming ski shows, reporting results of events completed between publications, and news from the American Water Ski Association. Our Honoree ordered and delivered new water skis to ISSC members, not as a profit making enterprise, but as a service to skiers who fifty years ago didn't enjoy the convenience of specialty and mail order shops like Bart's and Skiers Edge.
In addition to Indiana and Mid West Regional meets Dick competed in the 1951 Nationals in Lake Placid, NY and the 1953 Long Beach, Ca. Nationals, but it is the 1952 Minoqua, WI. Nationals that he is most proud of to recall, finishing 14th in the trick riding and 16th in slalom. This performance, accomplished before the many age distinct divisions we have today, pitted boys and men between the age of 16 and 50 against one another. Hitting that Minoqua performance may have been a fluke he sums up his water ski career thustly, and in his own words, "I was lousy as a competition water skier, but I was an enthusiastic one!" After the 1953 Nationals the AWSA leadership suggested to our man that he retire from national competition and take on the role of tournament official. That seamed like a good idea to him, so he chaired the AWSA Rules Committee from 1952 through 1955 and was selected by AWSA to serve as the US Nationals Chief Judge in 1955 at Lakeland Florida and in 1956 on Stone Lake in LaPorte. From 1956 to 1958 he served as Mid West Vice President of AWSA. Seeing that the Indiana State Ski Club enjoyed critical energy our honoree stepped aside to let the leadership of the group move to the likes of Bob Maish and Rollie Williams
Stepping aside from leadership responsibilities doesn't translate as disinterest.
Back in the Spring when Bill Roach and John Kniesly meet with Dick West, Dick brings to the meeting a large packet filled with historically significant ISSC documents, news paper articles and photos. The packets also contains water ski related letters and articles from just a few years ago. It seamed quite apparent that this Indiana Water Ski Association's Hall of Fame recipient's interest and love for the sport he took up in 1947 at age 22 has not diminished over the past 60 years. He knows of the Lake Grew depth and bottom contour problems. He has visited the USA Headquarters and stays in contact with those whom he worked while active in the organization. He knows of the American Water Ski Educational Foundation and is a supporter.
Congratulations to Mr. Dick West and Thanks for all your contributions to help bring IWSA up to the level we enjoy today.
In addition to Indiana and Mid West Regional meets Dick competed in the 1951 Nationals in Lake Placid, NY and the 1953 Long Beach, Ca. Nationals, but it is the 1952 Minoqua, WI. Nationals that he is most proud of to recall, finishing 14th in the trick riding and 16th in slalom. This performance, accomplished before the many age distinct divisions we have today, pitted boys and men between the age of 16 and 50 against one another. Hitting that Minoqua performance may have been a fluke he sums up his water ski career thustly, and in his own words, "I was lousy as a competition water skier, but I was an enthusiastic one!" After the 1953 Nationals the AWSA leadership suggested to our man that he retire from national competition and take on the role of tournament official. That seamed like a good idea to him, so he chaired the AWSA Rules Committee from 1952 through 1955 and was selected by AWSA to serve as the US Nationals Chief Judge in 1955 at Lakeland Florida and in 1956 on Stone Lake in LaPorte. From 1956 to 1958 he served as Mid West Vice President of AWSA. Seeing that the Indiana State Ski Club enjoyed critical energy our honoree stepped aside to let the leadership of the group move to the likes of Bob Maish and Rollie Williams
Stepping aside from leadership responsibilities doesn't translate as disinterest.
Back in the Spring when Bill Roach and John Kniesly meet with Dick West, Dick brings to the meeting a large packet filled with historically significant ISSC documents, news paper articles and photos. The packets also contains water ski related letters and articles from just a few years ago. It seamed quite apparent that this Indiana Water Ski Association's Hall of Fame recipient's interest and love for the sport he took up in 1947 at age 22 has not diminished over the past 60 years. He knows of the Lake Grew depth and bottom contour problems. He has visited the USA Headquarters and stays in contact with those whom he worked while active in the organization. He knows of the American Water Ski Educational Foundation and is a supporter.
Congratulations to Mr. Dick West and Thanks for all your contributions to help bring IWSA up to the level we enjoy today.
Dick was accompanied with his lovely wife off 55 years, Dove, his daughter, Deb and son-in-law, Charlie
