NCWSA Hall of Fame – Class of 2020: Phil Chase – National Collegiate Water Ski Association

NCWSA Pioneers

The growth of collegiate water skiing can be traced to the vision and leadership of pioneers such as Elmer and Barbara Stailing, who helped establish the concept of collegiate teams competing in a format that emphasized team achievement rather than individual efforts. Collegiate skiing continued to grow under the direction of Ed and Carole Walker, who expanded the organization and helped establish collegiate water skiing as a major sports division of USA Water Ski. Following the untimely loss of Ed, Phil Chase assumed the NCWSA Chairmanship and carried forward the spirit and vision established by those leaders before him.

Phil Chase

Phil Chase has dedicated ample time to the growth and development of collegiate water skiing, serving in leadership positions at both the national and international levels.

Phil first became involved with the NCWSA South Central Conference and the AWSA South Central Region. He was also an early member of the Aquaplex outside of Austin, Texas. His son, Pete, followed in his footsteps as an outstanding collegiate slalom skier at Texas State before going on to ski professionally.

NCWSA Leadership

Phil served as a member of the NCWSA Board from 1993 through 2007, a period that included serving as Vice Chairman from 1995–1996 and Chairman from 1997–2007.

During his tenure as Chairman, from 1986–2007, NCWSA team membership grew from 56 to 125 teams. South Central Region membership also expanded significantly, reaching approximately 1,745 members and 14 teams at one point.

Among his many contributions to the organization, Phil:

Worked with Tony Lightfoot to create the original NCWSA website
Initiated the bib directive
Created the two-division format for Nationals in 2002, doubling the number of teams that could qualify for the National Championships
Helped organize the NCWSA Nationals at the Aquaplex in 1995, 2002, and 2004.
Judged more than 125 collegiate tournaments, a number at which he eventually stopped counting.

Phil’s impact extended well beyond the administration of collegiate skiing. As a Pan American judge, he served as either an appointed judge or Chief Judge at virtually every level of collegiate competition, from local tournaments and collegiate nationals to World University Championships.

International Leadership

Phil’s influence on collegiate water skiing also reached the international stage through the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). He was instrumental in bringing the first World University Trophy (WUT) to Lake Walmead, Georgia, in 1996, and subsequently served as Chief Judge at the second WUT in Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1998.

Following those events, Phil played a leading role in bringing collegiate water skiing’s first World University Championships to Tianjin, China, in 2002. He then helped secure the sanction for the first FISU-sanctioned World University Championships, held in Balakovo, Russia, in 2004. FISU, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire, is responsible for the organization and governance of international sporting competitions for university student-athletes. Phil’s involvement in the 2002 World University Championship in China included multiple trips to the country, where he worked with Chinese officials on the development of the tournament site. The event ultimately attracted an estimated 75,000–100,000 spectators, demonstrating the international reach and potential of collegiate water skiing.

Phil continued to serve on the IWWF Executive Board, representing collegiate skiing and working with collegiate water ski representatives from around the world.

A Lasting Legacy

Phil Chase’s contributions to collegiate water skiing extend far beyond his years of leadership and service, helping shape the NCWSA, expand opportunities for collegiate teams, and strengthen national and international competition. Those who worked alongside Phil credit him with playing a significant role in the growth and success of the NCWSA. Through his leadership, judging, and international involvement, Phil carried forward the vision of those before him while helping build a strong foundation for future generations of collegiate skiers.

Written with information from Jim Jaquess and Ken Buchheit