Scott Snape: Honorary National Director

Scott Snape began collegiate water skiing as a freshman at Clemson University in 1984. Along with several upperclassmen, he helped restart the Clemson water ski team, which had been active since the late 1970s. During his first fall, the team qualified for Nationals at Bell Acqua in Sacramento, California. Scott quickly made his mark in the South Atlantic Conference, setting the conference slalom record (either in the fall of 1984 or spring of 1985).

While balancing academics and competition, Scott continued to contribute to the sport beyond skiing. After missing A-Team eligibility during the 1985-86 season, he continued skiing on the B-Team while working toward his judges and drivers ratings. He returned to the A-Team and qualified for the 1987 All-Stars at Wet Set, where he won the slalom event in a runoff.

Leadership & Dedication

Scott was elected to the South Atlantic Conference Board in the spring of 1985 and later served as SAC Chairman. He was involved in the expansion of the NCWSA Board of Directors when conference chair positions were added to the national board, serving multiple terms as a Conference Chair before eventually moving into the National Director position.

Scott remained deeply involved in collegiate water skiing after graduating from Clemson. He continued working collegiate tournaments throughout the 1990s and was appointed as a judge or driver at numerous Nationals and All-Stars. He also served as tournament chair for the World University Trophy in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the mid-1990s.

Over the years, Scott earned Senior Judge, Senior Driver, Pan American Judge, Scorer, Safety, and Technical Controller ratings. His extensive tournament experience has included serving as Assistant Chief Judge at the 2006 AWSA Nationals, Chief Judge at the 2007 AWSA Nationals, and Chief Judge at the 2022 NCWSA All-Stars in Skyview, North Carolina. He has also served as a Technical Controller at multiple AWSA Nationals and the Adaptive Nationals, as well as on the NCWSA Record Review Committee and as Chair of the AWSA Rules Committee.

Scott has continued to support competitive water skiing at the regional and national levels. He served as tournament chair and organizer for the 2020, 2021, and 2025 AWSA Southern Regional Tournaments in Greenwood, South Carolina.

His dedication to the sport extends beyond collegiate competition. Scott has competed in numerous AWSA Regionals and Nationals, earning medals along the way. At age 49, he competed in jumping at the 2014 35+ World Championships at Jack Travers. He continues to compete in slalom, jump, and trick skiing and remains active in the sport today.

Scott and his daughter at 2021 AWSA Nationals

Involvement in Collegiate Water Ski

For Scott, the most rewarding part of his involvement in collegiate water skiing has always been the people. He fondly remembers the many leaders, mentors, and friends he met through the sport, including Ed and Carole Walker, Elmer and Barbara Stailing, Bob King, Lex Carol, Bill Stevenson, Troy Hamilton, Robert Rhyne, Matt Page, Ashley Roy (Stevens), and many others. Bill Stevenson, in particular, was a close friend and mentor who had a lasting impact on Scott.

Being named an Honorary National Director has given Scott the opportunity to remain connected to the NCWSA and provide perspective and historical context to the current board.

I’m really proud of the active directors and their dedication to the sport. It’s comforting to

know the sport division I loved so much is in good hands and that other Honorary Directors are

watching and guiding as well. – Scott

His decades of involvement reflect a commitment that began as a Clemson collegiate skier and grew into a lifetime of leadership and service to collegiate and competitive water skiing. And if his daughter eventually takes up collegiate water skiing, Scott says he may just find himself back at full speed at NCWSA tournaments.

Interview and article by Bethany Harkrider