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2011 Award of Distinction Honorees Announced

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The American Water Ski Educational Foundation's Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced the 2011 Award of Distinction recipients to be honored during the AWSEF Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 30 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla. The 2011 Award of Distinction recipients are: Ted Bevelacqua, Pat Connelly. Mark Jackson, Denny Kidder and Jack Travers.

Bevelacqua was a seven-time national kneeboard champion. Slalom skiing was his first passion behind a boat, putting up big walls of spray in the canals in West Palm Beach, Fla. He later discovered the kneeboard as a permanent pleasure, and it eventually became his business. He designed the Trident Ted Bevelacqua Pro Model kneeboard, and was the founder of Pro-Acqua kneeboard accessories.

Connelly was an innovator in ski design and manufacturing. He started selling wood skis out of a garage in Lake City, Wash., in 1967. He built the skis by hand and promoted them himself. The word spread quickly about Connelly products and demand increased steadily. In 1972 the addition of fiberglass technology allowed the company to expand the product line and increase production. It went on to produce high-end composite skis used by the top professionals. Connelly has been in production for more than 46 years.

Jackson, a former professional water skier, was USA Water Ski's first marketing director, where he created and directed a comprehensive marketing program that included corporate sponsorship, membership development, and televising and promoting national and world championship events. He also has worked as a color commentator for televised water skiing events for more than 20 years. He is currently the director of tourism and sports marketing in Polk County.

Kidder is considered a living legend in the world of water-ski manufacturing. His designs have been used by some of the best skiers in the world for more than four decades. After glass skis were accepted in the marketplace, he decided to control his own destiny and started his own company called "Stinger." He sold the company in 1977 and in 1979 he started "Kidder." His passion has always been the design and production of three-event water ski products. His company is now known as "D3."

Travers has operated his own water ski school in Groveland, Fla., since 1973, developing Sunset Lakes into a world-renowned water ski training center. In 1990 he authored an instructional manual for water skiing that continues to be published and is available in bookstores around the globe. He also has coached numerous U.S. Water Ski Teams. He has served on numerous USA Water Ski committees and the organization's board of directors for three years.

The purpose of the Award of Distinction was created to recognize many individuals who have extraordinary contributions to our sport. They may include tournament skiers, innovators, industry leaders, officials and others responsible for landmark achievements in the development of water skiing as well as those whose long periods of dedicated and generous service deserve special recognition. For eligibility requirements and more information, visit the official Web site of the American Water Ski Educational Foundation at www.waterskihalloffame.com.