2021 Michael Woodgate Resiliency Award

Tri-Lakes, Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School, and the Woodgate Foundation introduced the Michael Woodgate Resiliency Award at the 2021 Syndicate Water Skis NCWSA Collegiate National Championships.

Wooden

Michael “Woody” Woodgate, originally from the UK, began skiing as a child and spent many years water skiing in England, where he skied as a member of Team GB on numerous occasions.

In the UK, Woody was a prominent member of the water ski community, judging at tournaments, helping out where he could with tournaments, coaching, and boat driving at Hazelwoods Ski World.

Woody continued this passion when he joined the ULM Warhawks while pursuing a Masters’s Degree and eventually becoming head coach of the water ski team.

Throughout Woody’s accomplished waterski career, Woody, like many skiers, found himself on the road to recovery many times but each and every time he overcame these injuries and got back on the water. Woody incurred every injury you could think of – broken bones and knee injuries. He was hospitalized badly from a car accident and was even told he might never walk again from his second torn Achilles injury.

In an interview, when asked the question what inspired you to stay in the sport he answered –

“This is a difficult question because saying “stay in the sport” implies that I ever had a decision to make in walking away. Water skiing isn’t a professional sport nowadays, it’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that I love. Unquestionably my journey in the sport has changed a lot from where I intended. I love skiing, be it hitting the ramp, running buoys, and even putting my foot in the toe hold! I can honestly say even though I haven’t skied since my last Achilles injury 3 years ago, I am enjoying my time around the sport as much as ever right now.”
Michael “Woody” Woodgate

The Award

This award was presented at the 2021 NCWSA Collegiate Nationals during the banquet to commemorate and remember ULM head coach, Michael “Woody” Woodgate, who tragically lost his life on November 3, 2020, in a cycling accident.

Presented along with a $500 scholarship from the Woodgate Foundation to the individual who showed resilience at collegiate nationals or in the fall season leading up to NCWSA Collegiate Nationals.

Upon a close selection in the nomination pool, the NLU/ULM team alumni pulled together to support a second scholarship, allowing the Woodgate Foundation to present two awards for this year.

The 2021 joint winners of the award were voted on by the appointed officials at the final judges meeting on Saturday 23rd October.

Garrett Stallings and Ryan Schipper were awarded the 2021 recipients of the award for the following nominations:

Ryan Schipper – Iowa State University

Over the course of the past year, Ryan Schipper has displayed many of the same characteristics that the Woody award represents. Despite not being able to ski due to his broken sternum this June, he has spent countless hours this Summer and Fall coaching, driving, and carrying out his presidential duties. Just as people describe Woody, Ryan has maintained his usual energy and passion through injury. Prior to his crash, Ryan was the top collegiate skier in the Midwest. Apart from his skiing ability, Ryan was the tournament director of the Great Plains Conference Tournament, AAC rep for the Midwest, and the vice-chairman of the Great Plains Conference. He traveled with the team to all five tournaments this season. Ryan was able to build a friendship with Woody through his brother Brandon and worked multiple Summers with Woody at Bennett’s. Between his elite skiing ability, contribution to the sport, and passion for life, there is no person more deserving of this award than Ryan Schipper.

Garrett Stallings – University of Louisiana Monroe

Garrett has faced several challenges throughout his water ski career including breaking his ankle, fracturing a vertebra in his lower back, and most recently fracturing a vertebra in his neck at the 2021 U21 World Championships. With intensive rehabilitation, strategic training, and hard work Garrett has set 6 Tennessee state records (B1, B2, M1, and OM in tricks M1 and OM in jump), won 13 National titles including the 2018 NCWSA Team Championship with ULM. However, perhaps one of the hardest setbacks for Garrett was the loss of his coach, mentor, and close friend Woody in 2020. Garrett stepped up to the plate when the ULM team was down and out and helped keep the team together. He promptly introduced himself to every faculty member Woody worked with and began attending meetings with the school administration to make sure his teammates were taken care of. Unfortunately, his recent neck injury prevented him from representing his team on the water this semester. But, that didn’t stop Garrett from gaining the position of Coach’s Assistant, organizing the first Bayou Classic in Monroe (since 2018), and supporting his team at every tournament. I believe Garrett deserves this award not only for his resilience with physical injury but also for his dedication to the sport of water skiing and his teammates which emulates Woody’s spirit.