EVP Message

I returned earlier this week from a fantastic four days at Dave's Pond in Edinboro, Pennsylvania where the 2008 Eastern Regional Championship Tournament was conducted. On behalf of the entire Region, I want to thank Dave Strong and the members of Dave's Pond Ski Club for hosting an outstanding event. The site was finely groomed and well prepared. The Pond, the skiing courses, and the skiing conditions were impeccable. The technical equipment was all in place and functioned well. Overall, it was a great, great Regional Championship Tournament.

Dave Strong was a wonderful host as he always is. Thank you Dave! John Davis was Tournament Director and Mae Davis was Entry Chairperson. Along with the other members of Dave's Pond Ski Club, they worked tirelessly to prepare for the tournament. When I left the site on Sunday at the end of the tournament, Mae's smile was still as bright as the sunshine. Thank you John! Thank you Mae! Thank you to all of the members of Dave's Pond Ski Club and their relatives and friends who made this tournament a great success!

Each morning at the start of the day, we were treated to the singing of our National Anthem by Ashley Robbins, the wonderful eight-year old daughter of Doug and Cynda Robbins. What a way to start the day! If you were not there to hear it, I'm sorry that I cannot describe in words how moving and uplifting that was. Thank you Ashley! And thank you Doug and Cynda for sharing your adorable daughter with us!

The first person that each competitor saw when they arrived at the site was the omnipresent Marie Baker. Marie served in her customary role as Tournament Registrar and, as she always does, started every single skier off feeling good about being at the tournament. Thank you Marie!

Gary Noll was the Chief Judge for the tournament. Gary, along with Assistant Chief Judge Clarence Swift, executed the tournament well. Thank you Gary! Thank you Clarence! The Appointed Judges all performed their assigned duties very professionally and without fail. Thank you to each and every one of you for a job well done!

Marie Fields was the Chief Driver for the tournament. With a big assist from Ed Llewellyn, Marie had all of the boats ready to go at all times. Despite all of the new technology, the boats and the boat drivers performed precisely throughout the tournament. Ed Llewellyn even got a chance to slide into the Driver's seat for a couple of events. Thank you Marie! Thank you Ed for all of your work and all that you do for us! Thank you to all of the Appointed Drivers for your great work!

Ann Lohr was Chief Scorer. Ann was ably assisted by Jennifer Frederick-Kelly, Leslie Carr, and a host of other volunteers and they dutifully and accurately recorded each Slalom Pass, each Trick, and each Jump. That's a whole lotta key strokes folks. Thank you Ann, Jennifer, Leslie, and all of the other volunteers who helped with the scoring function!

Kathy Robbins was Chief Announcer. Kathy and her staff of volunteers kept the spectators informed throughout the tournament about the action on the water and the associated activities off the water. Kathy did an exceptional job. Thank you Kathy! And, thank you to the volunteers who helped with the announcing throughout the tournament!

Scott Pottbecker and Nicole Davis assisted me with the Safety Director duties. There were two injuries and we hope that Don Henderson and Jack Hocutt are on the mend and are back on the water very soon. Thank you Scott and Nicole and several other volunteers who were instrumental in running a safe event.

Hutch and Aaron Haines coordinate Junior Development activities for the Region. At the tournament, Hutch and Aaron used a unique fund raising idea that was very successful. It was also a significant amount of personal work for Hutch and Aaron. They staffed the Junior Development VIP Tent each day of the tournament and provided food and drinks for the competitors and spectators. Thanks Hutch! Thanks Aaron! Thanks to the whole Haines family who helped! And thanks to the Hinman family – Tom, Cathy, and Jena – who helped during the course of the day! Thanks to all of you who participated in this event and contributed to the cause!

Nicole Davis chose the site for the Junior Development Party on Thursday evening. The family fun park was an enormous hit with the kids and with the adults. We won't soon forget the many, many Go Cart races involving parents and children, the water cannon wars between the kids in the boats and the parents on the side, and the bungee jump with a very long waiting line, but a ton of fun once you got to the head of the line. Thanks Nicole! Thanks Mae for your help with the coordination of this event!

There were many other memorable events – a stimulating Regional Membership Meeting, a great Regional Banquet, and of course terrific competitive skiing throughout the four days of the tournament. I will share more news in another update soon.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the 2008 Eastern Regional Championship Tournament! Thank you to all of the competitors! Thank you to all of the spectators! Thank you to all of the organizers, officials, and volunteers!

Pat Byrne
EVP, Eastern Region
860-205-4182 cell