Excutive Director Report USA Water Ski Executive Director Weekly Report-Week of May 26, 2008 To organize an event of the magnitude of the Masters took a great effort from a large number of people. There were seemingly hundreds of officials bedecked in their blue shirts, many coaches and support people, an excellent medical staff, and terrific direction provided by event director Gary Meloon. Gary was assisted by Rhoni Barton-Bischoff (handling every detail imaginable), Chris Bischoff (Rhoni’s husband who handled everything wakeboard related as chief judge), and the tireless Charlotte Melchers (handled everything 3-event related as chief judge). For me, as a novice skier and new executive director, it was the most effective training tool to date as I continue to learn of the myriad of details surrounding this sport. During the awards banquet on Sunday evening, I had the honor of sitting next to Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft. Bill’s take on the event is that it may assist Correct Craft to a certain extent marketing-wise; however, the most important aspect is that the event continues as a major tradition in the water skiing universe. Thanks to Bill, Gary, Rhoni, Chris, Charlotte and the hundreds of volunteers who invested both time and financial resources to scale this event to the top of the ladder. Several weeks ago, USA Water Ski’s community lost a key member through the accidental death of Brett Yeager. Brett was skiing in Mexico, and was known as an aggressive high level skier. Toward the last buoy on his final run, Brett fell and fell in such a way causing his death. No one is quite sure what happened. He died within a few minutes of the accident. We were quite saddened to hear of his accident and the circumstances surrounding it. Since that time, there has been quite a bit of discussion regarding safety, the design of equipment generally, how buoys are scored, and course configuration. To that end, the Technical and Rules Committee Co-Chairs at the AWSA level, the Risk Management Committee Chair at the USA Water Ski level, the Water Sports Industry Association Executive Director, and the International Water Ski Federation’s Tournament Council Chair are taking a long, in-depth look at all of the concerns with the precise intent of making the sport as safe as possible. In the meantime, USA Water Ski, its members, its officials, and its staff all express the most sincere condolences to Brett’s family.
Bobbie Razor, the long time manager of USA Water Ski’s finance and accounting services, has been in the hospital for the past several weeks. She has now been moved to an assisted living facility where she will be going through a regimen of treatment for the next three weeks. Bobbie is going stir crazy in the facility and we will be delivering work to her from time to time so she doesn’t forget us. For those of you interested in writing or calling her, her address and phone number are below: Bobbie Razor
Steve Locke
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