Ohio Distinguished Service Award
The competitive sport of traditional water skiing in Ohio is very much a community activity. The community consists of skiers, judges, drivers , safety personnel , scorers, coaches, lake owners, ski clubs, promotional boat owners and some non-skiing fans – our families. As in any worthwhile endeavor the more you give the more you receive. Yet in any organization there are those who for love of the sport – the love of community, give in special exceptional ways. It may be strong leadership or tireless behind the scene labors that help the sport grow and excel. These are the qualities and values that embody the recipients of the Ohio Distinguished Service Award. Our Distinguished Service Award winners are our role models for future generations of skiers.
Our first award was given in 1978. Since that time 25 awards have been given. On two occasions two people have received the award the same year. One individual, Larry Downes, has received the award on two separate occasions. For twelve years no award was given. From 1995 thru 2008 only 3 awards were given. This occurred because no formal nomination process was in place, not because of a lack of good candidates. In 2009, Jeff Van Treese, a former award recipient realized the value of recognizing our leaders and initiated the nomination and voting for Distinguished Service Awards once again. In 2014 Jeff submitted to the OWSA the Ohio Distinguished Service Award Nominating and Voting Guidelines.
The competitive sport of traditional water skiing in Ohio is very much a community activity. The community consists of skiers, judges, drivers , safety personnel , scorers, coaches, lake owners, ski clubs, promotional boat owners and some non-skiing fans – our families. As in any worthwhile endeavor the more you give the more you receive. Yet in any organization there are those who for love of the sport – the love of community, give in special exceptional ways. It may be strong leadership or tireless behind the scene labors that help the sport grow and excel. These are the qualities and values that embody the recipients of the Ohio Distinguished Service Award. Our Distinguished Service Award winners are our role models for future generations of skiers.
Our first award was given in 1978. Since that time 25 awards have been given. On two occasions two people have received the award the same year. One individual, Larry Downes, has received the award on two separate occasions. For twelve years no award was given. From 1995 thru 2008 only 3 awards were given. This occurred because no formal nomination process was in place, not because of a lack of good candidates. In 2009, Jeff Van Treese, a former award recipient realized the value of recognizing our leaders and initiated the nomination and voting for Distinguished Service Awards once again. In 2014 Jeff submitted to the OWSA the Ohio Distinguished Service Award Nominating and Voting Guidelines.
Nominating |
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Guidelines
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Past Winners
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1978 Don Casson
1979 Lucille Borgen and Bob Pringle 1980 Keith Brooks 1981 Jean Downes 1982 Dave Lance 1983 Gerald Meek 1984 Larry Downes 1985 None 1986 Barb Reedy 1987 Harry Stewart 1988 Bob Neumeyer 1989 Sam Spano |
1990 Jeff Van Treese
1991 Vern Johnston 1992 Ron Troeger 1993 Mike Meek 1994 Larry Downes 1995 None 1996 None 1997 None 1998 Jim and Lisa McClure 1999 None |
2000 Dick Coss
2001 None 2002 None 2003 Linda Coss 2004 None 2005 None 2006 None 2007 None 2008 None 2009 Greg Chapman |
2010 Dottie Troeger
2011 Greg Lanick 2012 Greg Kuenning 2013 Kurt Mechler 2014 Libby Van Treese 2015 Karl Dammeyer 2016 Debbie Daulton 2017 Bruce Baker 2018 Gene Dalton 2019 Gar Bradley 2020 Jon French 2021 Denise Dammeyer 2022 Jim McClure |