Sean Freitag receives John Van Gieson Scholarship

Sean Freitag of Wind Lake, Wisconsin, has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the $2,500 John Van Gieson Memorial Scholarship. Sean is an incoming Senior at Southern Illinois University studying Automotive Technology.

“I was super excited to get the call being told that I was chosen for the John Van Gieson Scholarship! I’ve worked really hard on and off the water this year to receive a scholarship like this, it feels good knowing that my hard work had been recognized," Sean says.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

This scholarship was established in 2022 in memory of John Van Gieson. John was an avid water skier and was happiest when he was out on the water. John's wife has established this scholarship to help water ski athletes to pursue a college education.

This annual scholarship will be given to a qualifying individual (male or female) from the Midwest Region who attends a two or four-year accredited college or university and water skis in AWSA and/or NCWSA tournaments.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation HERE.

Joaquin Mendoza Receives 2023 Kyle P. Tate Scholarship

Joaquin Mendoza of Truckee, California has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the $5,000 Kyle P. Tate Scholarship. Joaquin an incoming Junior at San Diego State University and is studying Computer Science.

“I feel very privileged to be chosen as this year’s Kyle P. Tate scholarship recipient. The waterski community has woven so tightly into my life in college, so receiving such a gracious award for my commitment to this community is an incredibly motivating gesture that I will never take for granted," he says.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

Established in 2022, the Kyle P. Tate Scholarship is awarded to the outstanding male applicant who attends a four-year accredited college and skis primarily in AWSA, NCWSA, or USA-AWSWS tournaments. The applicant must demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and volunteerism.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation at the link below.

Join the Foundation

Megan Adams receives Jennifer Odom/Dave Kammerer Scholarship

Megan Adams of Center City, Minnesota has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the $1,500 Jennifer Odom/Dave Kammerer Memorial Scholarship. Megan is a Junior World Barefoot Overall Champion and an Open Women's Competitor. She will be an incoming Junior at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is studying Engineering. This is the third consecutive year Megan has won this scholarship!

Megan says, "I am very grateful and honored to receive this scholarship from USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation. This scholarship will help me pay for my education while I also focus on barefoot waterskiing. Thank you USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation for providing many scholarships to help college students that are involved in water sports."

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

The Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008. Jennifer Odom was a junior girl national competitor who was abducted near her home in Pasco County, Florida in February of 1993. She was later found murdered. David Kammerer of Excelsior, Minnesota was a former Mens 2 National Overall Champion and “old school” barefooter. He died in a plane crash in July of 2007.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation at the link below.

Join the Foundation