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Did they attend every tournament this season to help out as a judge/driver/cheerleader? Help coach during the day after day, week after week? Provide some necessary gear improvements?
What alumni did you see make the biggest impact for their team or the region in the Midwest this year?
I would like to nominate Jalin Olsen (alumni of GVSU waterski) for most supportive alumni. Jalin has always had a great heart and is willing to help out whenever she was needed. In my freshman year, whenever I wasn’t confident in trying something she always gave me more confidence to try whatever it was I was scared of. Not only did she help me out as a freshman, but she also gave guidance to the new freshman this year as well which is what any alumni should do for an athlete on their team. Jalin’s actions never go unnoticed when it comes to support which is why she is a great nominee for this award.
I would like to nominate Jim Grabowski (alumni of Marquette) for most supportive alumni. For the last 4 years, our team has had a trailer sitting in the school parking lot with lights that didn’t work and a organization system that was essentially disfunctional. Over the past summer, Jim took it into his own hands to fix the trailer up and redo the inside, which we were then able to use at every tournament this year, meaning we didn’t have to bring extra cars just to carry gear. Additionally, he offered practices for our team every week over summer and fall and coordinated with the Pewaukee Lake show ski team to help us get access to their jump. This has helped our team go from having about 10% of our members be able to land a jump to 90% which has made a huge impact on our team. Jim has also graciously allowed the team to borrow equipment from him for tournaments and practices, as well. Before we were in contact with Jim, our team would be lucky to get 3-4 people out to practice even once in a season, and due to his effort and other alumni that he has connected us with, we now are running practices upwards of 5 times every week during the season.
I would like to nominate Noah Lazzara for this season’s Most Supportive Alumni! Noah has stayed the most involved of any of our alumni, not only with our team, but with the NCWSA and AWSA as well. Noah is UW-Madison’s “guy to call” when we have questions, or such crises as: “How do we dial in a jump course?” “What should the wing setting be on my slalom fin?” or even “What’s the best method for waking up hungover skiers?” He’s always ready to jump in and lend a hand, and he has been instrumental in keeping our team running for as long as I’ve known him. But Noah’s unwavering commitment to the sport of waterskiing extends far beyond just our team. He’s put countless hours into getting his ratings as a scorer, judge, and driver, and he has used those credentials to give back to collegiate water skiing on both a regional and national level. Noah has been an official for almost every single tournament we have skied in the past four years, and at 2024 Nationals he won an award for most hardworking official. Some people live to ski, but as far as I can tell, Noah Lazzara skis to live. For all the time he puts in, and the support he gives us, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone more dedicated, or more deserving, than Noah.
I would like to nominate Chris Kownick for the Most Supportive Alumni Award. Chris, a 2020 graduate of Iowa State University, has remained deeply involved with the NCWSA as Vice Chair of Team Midwest. His unwavering support for our club has been invaluable. Despite Iowa State Waterski losing its official affiliation with the school in 2022, Chris has been a constant pillar of support, helping us navigate challenges and explore solutions. Having an alumn who would fight tooth and nail for our cause is not something every organization could say. Chris exemplifies what it means to be a committed and selfless supporter, dedicating countless hours to advancing the sport and supporting our team. His contributions to collegiate waterskiing as a whole make him truly deserving of this recognition.
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