This past weekend of February 9-10th, schools along the east cost invaded Athens, Georgia to convene for the 1st South & Atlantic Coastal Region Winter Conference (now that they are no longer the Eastern Region!).
SAC Region Awards
Some of the discussions were based around little clean up and recap areas. For example, SAC Region Awards that were announced at the 2018 Eastern Regionals were re-announced at previous year’s Regionals tournament.
Congratulations again to Quinn Hains (ALA) for being awarded the 2018 SAC Skiing MVP for not only skiing exceptional well but also being willing to stay and help his teammates improve. Also, Quinn’s jump record of 188ft besting Alabama teammate Sam Greenwood’s record of 182ft set the previous year at the Connelly Skis 2017 NCWSA Nationals. Prior to Sam and Quinn, the jump record was held by Quinn’s mentor Dana Hinman since 1998! Quinn’s record was approved at the Regionals as well.
Congratulations to Ashley Stevens (CLEM) who received the 2018 SAC Team MVP for putting in countless hours organizing tournaments and working behind the curtains to make sure the fall season went smoothly for the Clemson Ski Team.
Lastly, congratulations to the Lander University Ski Team for winning the 2018 Team Growth Award.
New SAC Decisions!
The SAC also officially adopted purple as its regional color and is beginning the first steps of creating a SAC Logo!
The SAC as a Region has set a goal to have 25% of each team to become a rated Official. This is lead by Santiago Varas (ALA), Samuel Greenwood (ALA), Ashley Stevens (CLEM), and Lauren Linton (CLEM). This was partially initiated in hopes of lowering tournament hosting costs and enabling the smaller teams in the region to host a tournament.
SAC Tournament Schedule
The SAC Spring 2019 Tournament schedule is a tad shorter then in past years, but they are hoping to possibly have UGA add in a tournament of their own!
April 6-7, 2019
On April 6th & 7th of 2019 the Alabama Ski Team will be hosting at Lymanland for what is expected to be another great tournament on a very blue lake.
April 13-14, 2019
On April 13th & 14th of 2019 the Clemson Ski Team will be hosting at Lake Flumi for another fun tournament where they can camp out.
Fall TBD and Possible Alumni Regionals!
As for the Fall, the majority of the SAC schools are looking to host a tournament! There was even talk of a SAC Alumni Tournament occurring. We can’t wait to see who all will be hosting Regionals as well as just how many tournaments the SAC can fit in before the 2019 NCWSA Collegiate Water Ski National Championships at Bel Acqua Lakes in Rio Linda, California.
A Change in Leadership Positions
The SAC went through their annual elections and now have a new position of PR Committee Chair, PR Committee and the Alumni Relations Committee within this. Our SAC Chair (Paul O’Hara) and SAC Vice Chair (Glenn Barnes) will continue fulfilling their second year of their elected 2-year term.
SAC Regional Chair: Paul O’Hara
SAC Regional Vice Chair: Glenn Barnes
Regional Tournament Coordinator: Ashley Stevens (CLEM)
SAC Board of Directors: Richard Kaczmarek (LAN), Eileen Blair (UGA), Samantha Stackpole (FSC), Katleen Gross (UNC), Libby Burroughs (AUB), Michael Collier (CLEM), Sean Hunter (ALA), Lauren Boskus (ALA), and Katie Horton (ALA)
SAC Operations Chair: Santiago Varas (ALA)
SAC Secretary: Katie Horton (ALA)
SAC Treasurer: Robert Rhyne
SAC Awards Chairperson: Sean Hunter (ALA)
Public Relations Committee Chair: Kate Sullivan (CLEM)
PR Committee: Katie Horton (ALA), Lindsey Elrod (AUB), Mattie Hankal (UGA), Ricky Kaczmarek (LAN), Samantha Stackpole (FSC), Emma Morgan (ROL), and Lacey O’Sullivan (UNC)
Alumni Relations Committee: Emily Scircle (CLEM), Lauren Linton (CLEM), Samuel Greenwood (ALA)
SAC Website Coordinator: Matt Page
Thank You University of Georgia!
The SAC would like to send a big thank you to the University of Georgia Ski Team for hosting all the skiers and arranging for a meeting room on campus.
- 2019 Reflections: South Central Edition - January 10, 2020
- 2019 Reflections: Western Edition - January 9, 2020
- 2019 Reflections: Midwestern Edition - January 8, 2020
