**Nominations for the 2008 Award of Distinction

Deadline: August 1,

To download nomination form, click here.  (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required - DOWNLOAD NOW)

Purpose of the Award: This award was created to recognize many individuals who have made 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.  Even those who have later become famous outside the sport and others whose contributions have been in the form of resources or public relations are eligible for nomination for the Award of Distinction.

There is no requirement that a candidate to be recognized for his or her skiing accomplishments be retired from competition, although preference is unlikely for skiers still competing in the Open Division who are clear candidates for the Hall of Fame following their retirement.  Those honored with the Award of Distinction remain eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame.

The following technical requirements apply to the selection procedure:

1. Nominations are to be made to the Chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee no later than August 1st of each year for recognition a year later.  Nominations may be made by any member of the Selection Committee, any member of the AWSEF Board of Trustees, or any other individual endorsement of a member of the Committee or the Board of Trustees.

2. Nominations must be in writing and should include as much information as possible on the justification of the nomination, since this nomination will form the basis for consideration by the Committee.  Bearing in mind that there have been thousands of individuals who have won national or international skiing titles, held volunteer offices and committee chairmanships and devoted countless hours to officiating, emphasis should be made of the unique and distinguishing achievements or contributions of the individual proposed.

3. Each Committee member by written ballot will rank those nominees whom they believe should be considered for the AWSEF Water Ski Award of Distinction.  For selection, a nominee must be ranked by eight members of the committee.

4. Membership in either the USA Water Ski or AWSEF is not a criterion for the award; however it is intended that the award be for contributions to water skiing in the United States or to international water skiing on behalf of the United States.