Mike Adams: The Man Behind the 1st Collegiate Nationals

Mike Adams, now a member of the NCWSA Hall of Fame, played a foundational role in the history of collegiate water skiing. In the summer of 1977 Mike Adams and his best friend started the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Water Ski Team at then Northeast Louisiana University (NLU), and became president and team captain of the program several times throughout his career as a skier until his graduation in 1982. Under Mike’s direction, leadership, and abilities, the water ski team won every tournament entered with the exception of the 1^st Intercollegiate Nationals in 1979, where they finished 2^nd overall. This water ski program founded by Mike has gone on to win 29 National Championships to this date.

As a NLU skier, Mike held several regional jump records and was a solid three-event skier that helped NLU win its first national championship in 1980 at the 2^nd Intercollegiate Nationals in Groveland, FL. He was also a 5-time member of the South-Central Region All-Star Team. Due to of his abilities and leadership, Mike was one of the first to receive a scholarship awarded to ski team members by NLU.

History of ULM Water Ski Team

The 1st NCWSA National Championship

Mike, also know as “the Goon,” was not only a great skier, but a visionary who helped shape collegiate water skiing into what it is today. It was his idea and plan to host the 1^st Collegiate National Water Ski Championships in 1979. His vision, drive, and dedication made the 1^st National Championship a reality.

In the summer of 1978, Mike, Bill Rainwater, and Charles Salassi approached Team Faculty Advisor Tom Murphy with an ambitious idea: bring collegiate water ski teams from across the country together for a national championship and have NLU host the inaugural event in Monroe, Louisiana. They promised to handle the publication work and promote the idea to the American Water Ski Association (AWSA).

At the time, the idea seemed almost impossible. When Mike presented the plan to team members, many thought he had taken a crash and impaired his thought process. How could they bring together the university, the City of Monroe, and the AWSA to organize a national championship in just a couple of months?

Mike, however, had already thought through the details. His plan gained the support of Team Faculty Advisor, Dean Murphy, and NLU President Dwight Vines, as well as the City of Monroe. A formal proposal was prepared and submitted to the AWSA, complete with photographs of the university and tournament site, letters of support from university and city officials, contributions from local businesses, and commitments from the water ski industry. The plan was designed so the tournament could be conducted at no cost to the University or the City of Monroe. With the support of NLU and Monroe, the proposal was presented to the AWSA Board of Directors at the 1979 AWSA National Competition in Du Quoin, Illinois, where it was approved.

On October 13–14, 1979, NLU hosted the first National Collegiate Water Ski Championship. Teams from Ohio State University, Bowling Green University, the University of Texas, San Diego State University, Florida Southern University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe came together for the historic event. San Diego State won the inaugural championship, NLU finished second, and Florida Southern finished third. ULM won its first national title the following year when Florida Southern hosted the second National Championship in Lakeland, Florida!

Mike’s vision, drive, and dedication turned an ambitious idea into a reality and laid the foundation for what would become the highlight of collegiate water skiing. The inaugural championship brought teams from across the country to Monroe, where thousands of spectators lined the bayou to cheer on the competitors. The event also established support from the water ski industry that continues today.

Collegiate skiing was growing rapidly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but it was Mike’s dream, determination, and love for the sport that helped bring a national championship into being. The Goon made it happen!