Cale Burdick: Champion on the Water, Leader Beyond

Cale Burdick was inducted into the NCWSA Hall of Fame in 2025 for his accomplishments and sportsmanship during his time at Purdue University (Fall 2004 through Spring 2008). In his four years of collegiate skiing in the Midwest he set the standard for elite skiing in the Midwestern region, now the Great Lakes and Great Plains. His unparalleled dominance, particularly in slalom, as well as his leadership and contributions to the Midwest Collegiate Water Ski Association (MCWSA), make him deserving of being in the Hall of Fame.

Throughout his collegiate career Cale would frequent the podium at the regional and national level. Cale’s most dominant event was slalom skiing, but he competed in all three. In slalom he accumulated 8 podium finishes in 8 Nationals and All-Stars tournaments, with 4 firsts at All-Stars (2005-2008), 2 firsts at Nationals (2004, 2006), a second at Nationals (2007), and a tie for third at 2008 Nationals.

His most remarkable slalom performance came at the 2006 Nationals, where he skied into 41’ off, achieving 2 buoys at 41’ off. This feat won the event and set a Midwest Regional record, now Great Lakes Record, that has stood for over 13 years.

Watch the iconic run:

Although slalom was his signature event, Cale was a formidable competitor across all three disciplines. In jump, he set the Midwest Regional record at 162 feet during the 2006 MCWSA Regionals, a record that stood until 2016, but he still has the Regional Tournament Record for MCWSA. Cale also still holds the MCWSA Regional Tournament records for both slalom and jump, achieved during his freshman and junior years, respectively. At the culmination of his collegiate career, he was named NCWSA Male Athlete of the Year (2007) and earned gold medals in slalom, jump, and overall at the 2008 All-Stars.

Beyond his extraordinary performances, Cale was an exceptional leader and teammate. Whether competing himself or cheering on his teammates from the shore, his dedication to his team and the sport was evident. Cale was an active participant in the governance of collegiate water skiing as he sat on the AAC committee for several years and was also a voting board member as chair for multiple years.

Post college he continues to water ski on the professional level! He continued to contribute to the MCWSA by attending and speaking at Winter Conferences and offering his expertise as a coach and pro skier. Cale resides in the Midwest and has coached his kids who compete in AWSA tournaments and hopefully will carry on his legacy as amazing water skiers and leaders!