For More Information Contact:

Carole Lowe, (863) 324-2472

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 American Water Ski Educational Foundation

Water Ski Hall of Fame & Museum

Announces 2008 Award Of Distinction Recipients

POLK CITY, Fla. -- The American Water Ski Educational Foundation (AWSEF) Water Ski Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced the 2008 recipients of its prestigious Award of Distinction. Each will receive the Award of Distinction in recognition of their former water skiing accomplishments and contributions to the water skiing community. Recipients 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 dedication and service deserve special recognition.The recipients will be officially recognized at the AWSEF's annual Hall of Fame banquet on Saturday, April 19, at The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

This year's recipients are: Harry Cordellos,  of Novato, Calif., Arden"Art"Cozier, of Orlando, Fla., John Gillette, of Charlotte, N.C., Mary Pelto of Macatawa, Mich., and Jim Salmas of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Cordellos was an active member of the Water Skiers with Disabilities Association for several years as a blind athlete.  He competed in the first water ski tournament for vision-impaired athletes, and beginning in 1990, he competed and placed in every Disabled Water Ski National Championships for more than a decade.  He also has been a motivational speaker and writer on health and fitness issues.

Cozier is widely known as one of the early technical controllers of three-event water skiing after the position was created in 1975.  He also ahs served as a driver and a judge.  His life's work has been in boat design and productions, mainly with Correct Craft.  He also helped Rob Shirley in the development of the first MasterCraft.  He has been widely recognized as one of the most gifted towboat mechanics in the world.

Gillette was a long time innovator, administrator, competitor and promoter of barefoot water skiing.  He is Credited with being the first American to execute a backward toehold deepwater start.  He invented or advocated several significant rule changes that eventually became part of the World Barefoot Council's Official Rule Book.  He was elected as the first vice president of the American Barefoot Club in 1978 and served as president from 1980 to 1981.  He was the team captain of the 1978 and 1980 U.S. Elite Barefoot Water Ski Team, and was coach of the 1982 team.

Pelto has served on several AWSEF committees, including Executive and Finance, Investment and Fund Raising.  She has served on the organization's board of trustees as secretary and committee person, and she has served as a photographer at international events for AWSEF.  She has been a long time leader of the water ski community in Michigan, continuing the work started by Chuck Sligh.  She also is a member of the Michigan Water Ski Hall of Fame.

Salmas was an active competitor for 45 years, competing in his first three-event water ski tournament in 1960 at age 35 and his last in 2006 at age 80.  He won 22 national championships and set 15 national records.  He was credited with achieving the highest overall score at the Water Ski National Championships three times.  He was a two-time member of the U.S. Veteran Water Ski Team.  He was a tournament boat driver for 20 years in the 1970s and 1980s, and he was a ski instructor in formal and informal settings throughout his career.

The American Water Ski Educational FOundation, parent organization of the Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, was founded in 1968 as a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of the traditions of one of America's most popular family recreational activities and to the encouragement of and education in the safe enjoyment of water skiing.

The AWSEF Award of Distinction recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport. Recipients 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 dedication and service deserve special recognition. Candidates are not required to be retired from competition or involvement in the sport.

The five Award of Distinction recipients will be honored at the 26th Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, April 19, at the Omni  Resort Championsgate (Interstate 4 @ Exit 58 - Orlando, FL. For a detailed schedule of Hall of Fame weekend events, please contact the Hall of Fame at (863)324-2472 or visit the Web site - waterskihalloffame.com.

The American Water Ski Educational Foundation, parent organization of the Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, was founded in 1968 as a not -for-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of the traditions of one of America's most popular family recreational activities and to the encouragement of and education in the safe enjoyment of water skiing.