USA WWF

The Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship was established in 2001, revised in 2008 and 2021, has special provisions in that it is given to a qualifying female who attends a four year accredited college or accredited trade school and skis primarily in AWSA, NCWSA or USA-AWSWS tournaments.

Family and friends established this scholarship in 2025 to honor Stephanie, a very accomplished waterskier. She held the titles of Regional Record Holder, National & Regional Champion, USA Sr. Waterski team member, Sr. Official, and “Mom” of the SCR collegiate water skiers. She was loved by all by living a life full of joy, purpose, and grit. 

The recipient of this scholarship should demonstrate excellence in Academics, Leadership, and Character. The individual must be enrolled as a full-time student in a 2- or 4-year accredited U.S. college or accredited U.S. trade school; an incoming freshman through senior undergraduate, an active member of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports (USA-WSWS), and, as a member of the South Central Region, qualifies for the SCR 3-event Water Ski Tournament, but need not be an overall skier. 

1983 was the first year for the American Water Ski Educational Foundation Scholarships. The funding mainly came from a general fund.  We started with just $500 for three young student-athletes. In 1988, we raised the award to $1500.  By 2002, nearly all of the scholarships were being funding by individuals and endowments. There are times when the foundation will still award a general fund scholarship

In the same spirit that made him a legend, "Banana George" Blair continued to give back to water sports and the foundation throughout his life.  George's family has created this scholarship to give student-athletes an opportunity to earn a college education while pursuing their water sports dreams. This scholarship is open to all water sports disciplines.

The Dave Goode Scholarship, by request of The Dave Goode Memorial Foundation, will be given to the qualifying candidate who is an NCWSA Regionals and\or Nationals qualified undergraduate student attending an accredited trade school, college, or university. The student must be pursuing a degree in Engineering and/or Mathematics and demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to take an innovative approach to solving problems.

Established by request of The John Worden Memorial Foundation, the scholarship is given to the qualifying candidate who is an AWSA and/or NCWSA undergraduate student attending college and that is pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM) and demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to take an innovative approach to solving problems.

Funded by the EverBless Foundation, this scholarship is intended to support the educational pursuits of exceptional students involved in the sport of water skiing and/or with the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the sport of 3-event water skiing, with a successful competitive record but need not be an overall skier. Involvement in skiing in Virginia or the Eastern Region will be given priority.

This scholarship was established in 2022 in memory of John R. 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.

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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 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Tim Olson. A special provision of the scholarship is that it is to be given to a wake boarder or show skier.

Established in 2022, this scholarship is to be 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 Elmer Stailing Scholarship is for an AWSA Southern Regional Competitor and qualified student who is registered in a College or University. It has been funded by the Southern Region since 1990.

The Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008. Special provisions require that the scholarship be given to a barefoot skier. In the event a barefooter does not apply, the Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship shall be carried forward to the next calendar year.

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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.

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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.

Awarded to a youth female competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by the Board of Directors of the Florida Water Ski Federation. The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor The Switzer’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water.

The Switzers have been amazing skiers, officials, volunteers, and mentors and the recipient should represent their character and work ethic.

The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, within four years of graduating high school, at an accredited two or four-year college or university.

The "Big Al" Wagner/Western Region Scholarship is to be given to an AWSA Western Region Skier qualified for the Western Regional Water Ski Tournament.

The purpose of the Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarship is to provide an annual scholarship to a US Citizen that preferably competes in National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) events first or if there are not any applicants from the NWSRA, then the applicants must demonstrate strong athletic abilities, strong academic standings and be involved in good community service projects in the Western region of USA-WSWS.

The recipient will be or is currently a student who is registered in a college or University and presents an application to the USA-WWF Scholarship committee for review and selection for each year.

Awarded to a youth male competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by the Board of Directors of the Florida Water Ski Federation. The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor Mr. Clark’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water.

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Mr. Clark has been actively involved in all aspects of the sport: skier, official, dedicated volunteer, and mentor. The recipient should represent his character and work ethic.

The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, within four years of graduating high school at an accredited two or four-year college or university.

The Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship is open to three event water ski athletes who compete in the Florida State Water Ski Championships and are currently registered students in a college or university.

Awarded to a youth competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by Kyle and Brenda Nichols Tate. The scholarship shall be awarded to a competitor based on sportsmanship, character, and improvement both on and off the water.

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Mr. Wenner has been an avid participant as an athlete, official, Board member, President of AWSA, and volunteer his entire life. His love of the sport is contagious, and the recipient should represent Mr. Wenner’s passion for waterskiing.

The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, within four years of graduating high school, at an accredited two or four-year college or university.

The Kent Williams and Alton Ball Kingsmen Scholarship will be awarded annually to a South Central Water Skier who has participated in the South Central Regionals and can be either an incoming Freshman or a current undergraduate in a four-year college or university.

Kent Williams and Alton Ball were accomplished skiers, barefooters, and show skiers. They made up the duo called the Kingsmen Professional Water Skiers in Arkansas in the 1960s.

Established in 2025 the scholarship is to be awarded to the outstanding male or female applicant who attends a two or four year accredited college or accredited trade school and skis primarily in AWSA, NCWSA, or USA-AWSWS tournaments. The applicant is to demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and volunteerism.

The purpose of the Richard Avila Scholarship is to provide an annual scholarship to a US Citizen that preferably competes in National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) events first or if there are not any applicants from the NWSRA, then the applicants must demonstrate strong athletic abilities, strong academic standings and be involved in good community service projects in the Western region of USA-WSWS.

The recipient will be or is currently a student who is registered in a college or University and presents an application to the USA-WWF Scholarship committee for review and selection for each year. Applications will be reviewed by the Avila Family as well.

In Memory of Water Skier Jean Downes.

Bill Clifford served as the Executive Director of the American Water Ski Association for 27 years.