Collegiate water skiing is extraordinarily unique in the school spirit category. The energy that comes from every team at tournaments is something that other sports can’t even catch a glimpse of. Aside from the actual 3-event competition, the HO Skis “Most Fun Wins” Spirit Award is highly competitive. Each year, HO Skis awards a first place winner and runner up for their team spirit at Nationals to encourage the continuation and growth of collegiate water skiing by showcasing teams that embody true spirit for their team, teammates, and enthusiasm for the sport itself.
Tri-Lakes was packed with schools from all over the country. Each team bordered the lakes with tents perfectly lined up down the berm with little to no space in between. Each tent was decked out with each team’s logos and school colors with folding chairs, coolers, and tables holding arrays of food for the athletes. Punny, hand-painted signs hung from the tops of the tents when not being actively used and skiers loaded up the HO floats on the edge of the water as they waited for their events to come up.
Teams stood on the side of the lake cheering on their teammates while decked out in glitter and body paint. Some more serious teams thought standing and cheering wasn’t enough, and while their teammates were skiing, they would sprint up and down the berm yelling their names while trying to keep up with the boat. On-the-dock chants and dance parties were a constant, never allowing for a silent moment. DJ Dirty Dan played everyone’s favorite hits each day from start to finish while announcers reported live skier performances.
The support each team showed for their own skiers was monumental at this tournament. At Nationals, only one team skier is on the water at a time, spaced evenly apart, which is different than most tournaments, allowing for overflowing attention to each skier when they are competing.
Out of the 24 schools competing for the spirit award, two were recognized at the Saturday night banquet as winners.
In first place was Texas A&M University, rising back to the top after their win in 2018. HO awarded them with an HO Hovercraft Waterski package (a wide slalom ski, useful to teach beginners to run the course at slow speeds or play & shred on the water), the 2021 spirit award banner, HO tubes, ski rope & handle, and apparel.
Following in a close second was runner-up Iowa State University, who received the award in 2017.
Texas A&M University shows incredible team spirit in every single tournament. They took over 25 skiers with them to Nationals, and although many of them did not ski in the tournament, they made the trip in support of their teammates. The Monday before leaving, the Aggies got together for a spirit night where they painted banners and signs and planned outfits in preparation for their arrival in Louisiana. For all three days the tournament lasted, A&M had a unique theme day.
Day one was ACD-Ski, where all members dressed as members of a rock band. It wasn’t simple accessories either…members painted on heavy black eyeliner and face paint, carried inflatable guitars, and sported punk-ish wigs while marching down the lake with Hayden McCoy blasting ACDC songs through a large speaker that he carried amongst the crowd.
Day two was America-themed, but it wasn’t your typical Fourth of July type expectations. Half of their members were dressed as old American Presidents…founding fathers to be exact. Bright white “powdered” wigs were worn by some, while others wore tacky American flag-styled shirts and red, white, and blue leis. Freshman Kaylee Doolittle even dressed as Lady Liberty for the occasion.
The third day was a classic school spirit day where the only colors the team wore were Maroon and White. The cowboy hats and boots were worn by every Aggie to give the other teams a little kick of Texas.
Throughout the three-day event, the Aggies were hard at work supporting their team, never in the same place for more than five minutes. Constant school chants were performed from the dock and the berm. Each time an Aggie water skier was on the water, teammates were sprinting up and down the berm cheering them on. At the end of their sets, the skier would be picked up in a handmade wooden chair, perched on top as their teammates carried or walked alongside them until they reached their home base. If skiers had crashed on their last jump, the team would swim out to them to go pick them up from the lake.
Iowa State brought an immense amount of team spirit that was ongoing and authentic. Even when they didn’t have skiers competing, they were constantly together, always traveling as a unit while having a genuinely good time. These skiers showed an enjoyable bond across their whole team that was undeniable by anyone watching. No matter whose eyes were on them at that moment, judge or non-judge, the Cyclones embodied the true spirit of collegiate skiing. Partnering up with the smaller University of Louisiana at Monroe, the Warhawks cheered in tandem and vice versa. With epic body paint and their own custom throne, Iowa State was seen up and down the shores cheering loud and proud.
The HO team loves to see the spirit on and off the water, where the Most Fun Wins. We appreciate their continued support of collegiate skiing and commitment to growing the sport. Be sure to connect with HO for their Collegiate Waterski Discount Program for the best offers on top gear.
- Texas-Sized Spirit at the Syndicate Skis 2021 NCWSA Championships - November 17, 2021
- RUSH to SKI at SCR Regionals - October 19, 2021
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