Tom Danford
2015 Hall of Fame Inductee
_________________________________________________________________
Tom started his skiing career as a youngster on Lake Gage where he hung out with several of older skiers who involved him in show skiing. Ken Meloon of the Correct Craft Meloon family introduced Tom to trick skiing on a pair of Ricky McCormick trick skis. Another older skier, John McLaughlin, bet Tom a steak dinner at Bill’s Steak House that he couldn’t turn around and ski backwards in the show. John who became a Correct Craft dealer became a lifelong friend, but Tom is still waiting on that steak.
Tom’s first skiing award was the “Gageous Rex Award” for barefooting all the way around the Lake Gage. After honing their slalom skiing skills on a cinderblock, milk jug, and antifreeze bottle course he and a group ventured over to Lake James for the Day of Challenge hosted by Don & Rene Scheimann and Clark Smith. After the tournament 14 year old Tom asked Mr. Smith about the “thing” in front of his house. Being a daredevil and no parents around resulted in Tom’s first jump experience. Along with his friends they were hooked. This experience resulted in the group pooling their money and building a jump back on Lake Gage in the summer of 1973.
The next summer the group of Lake Gage skiers ventured all the way to Mishawaka to attend a tournament where he was advised to enter the Novice Division. After skiing well in the slalom and trick events it was time for jump. As he crossed the wake on his first attempt he determined continuing would end him up in the side apron so he stopped cutting and held on the handle. That’s what they did back on Lake Gage. However here he learned that resulted in a disqualification. Tom left with two important take a ways – He really enjoyed tournament water skiing and he better get a rule book.
Tom, now in his college years, ventured over to Crooked Lake to ski on the slalom course on the 1st basin at sunrise with Glen Reid and Larry Smith. The group also skied on the 3rd basin of Crooked Lake. The 3rd basin was long and narrow with soft water and trick skiing was king. Tom is still skiing with Glen and Larry – 40 years later.
After graduation from college in 1978 Tom rewarded his efforts by purchasing his first Nautique replacing his Dad’s Sea Ray as his practice boat. On September 11, 1982 he and Pattie were married. Now Tom had a boat and a boat driver.
Tom has recorded several State Tournament Records that still stand - 1987 M2 Tricks (4840), 1994 M3 Overall (2614), 1995 M3 Tricks (4660), and 2012 Men5 Tricks (3150). While in M2 in 1985, Tom recorded his longest jump of 138 which qualified him to ski in the Regionals as a three event skier. At the 1988 Regionals Tom captured his first Regional placement – a 2nd in Tricks. By the time he entered the M3 division his skills in all divisions improved enough that he could ski in all three events at the Nationals.
Tom was first in Tricks at the Midwest Regionals in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014; and first in Overall 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013. In 2005 he won the Overall National Title in M4. He successfully defended his title in 2006
In 2005 Tom was selected as member of the USA Water Ski Team for the Senior Worlds in Africa. Since the tournament was an 8-day event in early November Tom had to train in the cool air and water of Northern Indiana through-out October. Tom had strong scores in all three events – 4 at 38 off for 5th in slalom , slightly over 4200 in tricks for 2nd, and a top ten in jump with a 108. These scores resulted in the gold medal in Overall. While one of the smallest in Tom’s trophy case this is the one he is most proud of and lead to the Team USA to win the gold.
Early in his skiing carrier Tom followed the example set forth by folks like Ray Huber, Don Scheimann, Randy Sharkey, Don Bucher, John Miller, Steve Plummer, Jeff Smith and others and decided to get involved running the tournaments and obtain officials credentials. During the 1980’s Tom and Larry Smith travelled nearly every weekend around central and northern Indiana officiating at tournaments. Tom and Larry met many folks during those years that have become life- long friends. Many of whom have taken their own path in supporting Indiana waterskiing. It was countless weekends that Mike and Patty Patterson joined Larry and Tom at those central Indiana tournaments along with Carl Truesdale, Brian Detty, Deedee Tucker, Prissy Edwards, to name just a few.
In the 1990’s Tom became a senior judge and scorer and became more involved in the Regional level. He has officiated at the Regionals many times serving as Chief Scorer twice and Chief Judge 3 times. In 1998 he received the Tommy Dorwin Award for outstanding official at the Regionals and in 2009 he received the Mary Jo Power Award for outstanding scorer at the Regionals
With the encouragement of Jeff Smith, Tom expanded his officiating to the national and international level and became a Pan Am Judge. He has officiated at close to 15 nationals and was ACJ at 6 of them. In 2004 he was Chief Judge at the Nationals in West Palm Beach and again in 2010 at Waters Edge in Illinois. The 2010 tournament was significant in that it was the first nationals to be done on a 2-lake site in decades. He won the Tommy Dorwin Award for outstanding official and the 2003 Nationals.
Tom has officiated y international events with his first one being the Under 21 World Championship in Santiago, Chile in 2003. In 2008 he was Chief Judge at the Pan Am Championships in Mexico. In 2007 he was invited to officiate at the Masters and continued to officiate at this most prestigious tournament through 2012. Other international officiating included judge at the 2009 Worlds in Austria, Chief Scorer of the 2010 Junior Worlds in Mexico, Chief Judge at the 2009 Malibu Open, and Chief Judge a the US Junior Open near Dallas.
In addition to being a Senior Judge and Scorer, Tom also obtain a Senior Driver and Technical Controller ratings. All of these officiating achievements lead to Tom being named Indian Official of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
On the administration side Tom has served as a State Council Member and Treasurer for 15 years. In this position he helped the IWSA become a recognized 501(c)(3) with the IRS. This was essential in the conduct of a charity gaming event that increased the IWSA treasurer 500%.
Tom has served as the Treasurer for the Midwest Region for over 30 years. He served as a Director of AWSA for the Midwest for 8 years and is now an Honorary National Director. He also has served as the Midwest EVP for a short time.
Tom got involved on the national level as the Midwest Region representative on the Rules Committee. He served as Chairman of the Rules Committee for 9 years. During this time he worked closely with Jeff Surdej, Dave Clark, and Jim Crew to revamp NOPS and replace the EP rating system with the current ranking system. As chair he also suggested and implemented a Record Review Panel for trick records. He served on this panel for 5 years and on the Rules Committee for a total of 11 years.
Tom has also served as the Treasurer of the AWSA for several years and as a Trustee for the American Water Ski Educational Foundation for 8 years.
With all the above skiing, officiating, and administration accomplishments Tom is most deserving of induction into the IWSA Hall of Fame.
Tom’s first skiing award was the “Gageous Rex Award” for barefooting all the way around the Lake Gage. After honing their slalom skiing skills on a cinderblock, milk jug, and antifreeze bottle course he and a group ventured over to Lake James for the Day of Challenge hosted by Don & Rene Scheimann and Clark Smith. After the tournament 14 year old Tom asked Mr. Smith about the “thing” in front of his house. Being a daredevil and no parents around resulted in Tom’s first jump experience. Along with his friends they were hooked. This experience resulted in the group pooling their money and building a jump back on Lake Gage in the summer of 1973.
The next summer the group of Lake Gage skiers ventured all the way to Mishawaka to attend a tournament where he was advised to enter the Novice Division. After skiing well in the slalom and trick events it was time for jump. As he crossed the wake on his first attempt he determined continuing would end him up in the side apron so he stopped cutting and held on the handle. That’s what they did back on Lake Gage. However here he learned that resulted in a disqualification. Tom left with two important take a ways – He really enjoyed tournament water skiing and he better get a rule book.
Tom, now in his college years, ventured over to Crooked Lake to ski on the slalom course on the 1st basin at sunrise with Glen Reid and Larry Smith. The group also skied on the 3rd basin of Crooked Lake. The 3rd basin was long and narrow with soft water and trick skiing was king. Tom is still skiing with Glen and Larry – 40 years later.
After graduation from college in 1978 Tom rewarded his efforts by purchasing his first Nautique replacing his Dad’s Sea Ray as his practice boat. On September 11, 1982 he and Pattie were married. Now Tom had a boat and a boat driver.
Tom has recorded several State Tournament Records that still stand - 1987 M2 Tricks (4840), 1994 M3 Overall (2614), 1995 M3 Tricks (4660), and 2012 Men5 Tricks (3150). While in M2 in 1985, Tom recorded his longest jump of 138 which qualified him to ski in the Regionals as a three event skier. At the 1988 Regionals Tom captured his first Regional placement – a 2nd in Tricks. By the time he entered the M3 division his skills in all divisions improved enough that he could ski in all three events at the Nationals.
Tom was first in Tricks at the Midwest Regionals in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014; and first in Overall 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013. In 2005 he won the Overall National Title in M4. He successfully defended his title in 2006
In 2005 Tom was selected as member of the USA Water Ski Team for the Senior Worlds in Africa. Since the tournament was an 8-day event in early November Tom had to train in the cool air and water of Northern Indiana through-out October. Tom had strong scores in all three events – 4 at 38 off for 5th in slalom , slightly over 4200 in tricks for 2nd, and a top ten in jump with a 108. These scores resulted in the gold medal in Overall. While one of the smallest in Tom’s trophy case this is the one he is most proud of and lead to the Team USA to win the gold.
Early in his skiing carrier Tom followed the example set forth by folks like Ray Huber, Don Scheimann, Randy Sharkey, Don Bucher, John Miller, Steve Plummer, Jeff Smith and others and decided to get involved running the tournaments and obtain officials credentials. During the 1980’s Tom and Larry Smith travelled nearly every weekend around central and northern Indiana officiating at tournaments. Tom and Larry met many folks during those years that have become life- long friends. Many of whom have taken their own path in supporting Indiana waterskiing. It was countless weekends that Mike and Patty Patterson joined Larry and Tom at those central Indiana tournaments along with Carl Truesdale, Brian Detty, Deedee Tucker, Prissy Edwards, to name just a few.
In the 1990’s Tom became a senior judge and scorer and became more involved in the Regional level. He has officiated at the Regionals many times serving as Chief Scorer twice and Chief Judge 3 times. In 1998 he received the Tommy Dorwin Award for outstanding official at the Regionals and in 2009 he received the Mary Jo Power Award for outstanding scorer at the Regionals
With the encouragement of Jeff Smith, Tom expanded his officiating to the national and international level and became a Pan Am Judge. He has officiated at close to 15 nationals and was ACJ at 6 of them. In 2004 he was Chief Judge at the Nationals in West Palm Beach and again in 2010 at Waters Edge in Illinois. The 2010 tournament was significant in that it was the first nationals to be done on a 2-lake site in decades. He won the Tommy Dorwin Award for outstanding official and the 2003 Nationals.
Tom has officiated y international events with his first one being the Under 21 World Championship in Santiago, Chile in 2003. In 2008 he was Chief Judge at the Pan Am Championships in Mexico. In 2007 he was invited to officiate at the Masters and continued to officiate at this most prestigious tournament through 2012. Other international officiating included judge at the 2009 Worlds in Austria, Chief Scorer of the 2010 Junior Worlds in Mexico, Chief Judge at the 2009 Malibu Open, and Chief Judge a the US Junior Open near Dallas.
In addition to being a Senior Judge and Scorer, Tom also obtain a Senior Driver and Technical Controller ratings. All of these officiating achievements lead to Tom being named Indian Official of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
On the administration side Tom has served as a State Council Member and Treasurer for 15 years. In this position he helped the IWSA become a recognized 501(c)(3) with the IRS. This was essential in the conduct of a charity gaming event that increased the IWSA treasurer 500%.
Tom has served as the Treasurer for the Midwest Region for over 30 years. He served as a Director of AWSA for the Midwest for 8 years and is now an Honorary National Director. He also has served as the Midwest EVP for a short time.
Tom got involved on the national level as the Midwest Region representative on the Rules Committee. He served as Chairman of the Rules Committee for 9 years. During this time he worked closely with Jeff Surdej, Dave Clark, and Jim Crew to revamp NOPS and replace the EP rating system with the current ranking system. As chair he also suggested and implemented a Record Review Panel for trick records. He served on this panel for 5 years and on the Rules Committee for a total of 11 years.
Tom has also served as the Treasurer of the AWSA for several years and as a Trustee for the American Water Ski Educational Foundation for 8 years.
With all the above skiing, officiating, and administration accomplishments Tom is most deserving of induction into the IWSA Hall of Fame.
