The Stailing Legacy

In the 1960s, Elmer and Barbara Stailing moved to Merritt Island and joined the local Spaceland Water Ski Club. That decision marked the beginning of decades of service that would earn them a legendary legacy in the sport of water skiing, particularly through their contributions to the development of collegiate water skiing.

Elmer Stailing, often referred to as the “Godfather of Collegiate Skiing,” was a distinguished official. He served as a Senior Judge from 1971 until his passing in 1993. He was also one of the first four intercollegiate judges after collegiate skiing separated from the American Water Ski Association (AWSA) and later served as Chief Judge for the 1980 and 1981 Intercollegiate National Championships.

Barbara Stailing was equally accomplished, serving as a Senior Scorer from 1975 until her retirement in 2002. During that time, she served as Chief Scorer for the Intercollegiate National Championships on more than five occasions. She also played an instrumental role in developing the National Collegiate Water Ski Association’s scoring system, which remains in use today.

Together, Elmer and Barbara were passionate advocates for collegiate water skiing and worked tirelessly to ensure its long-term success. They were especially dedicated to encouraging young people to become officials and remain involved in the sport. Their unwavering commitment led them to spend an average of 40 weeks each year traveling to tournaments while dedicating countless hours to building and strengthening the sport of collegiate water skiing.

In recognition of their extraordinary service, Elmer and Barbara were elected as Honorary National Directors in 1988 when the National Collegiate Water Ski Association became a sport division of the American Water Ski Association.

Written by Laura Rucks