Two of the most memorable figures in
IN Waterskiing history, Clark Smith and Don Scheiman, were honored in
2003 as inductees to the Indiana Waterski Hall of Fame. This is the
start of honoring our greatest foundations to our rich over 50 year
history of Indiana waterskiing.
Clark Smith is definitely the
elite of elite in Indiana Waterskiing history. Clark and his family
were an early settler to the Camelot Lakes community and had a lot to
do with many tournaments including many state and a few Regional
tournaments that were held there. Coaching and driving three of
Indiana’s most elite National skiers, his sons Todd and Brad, and his
daughter Paula. All top US National skiers. You could find Clark at
tournaments all over the state just to drive and help officiate. In
addition to this, Clark’s perfect throttling was the definite
advantage in the days prior to the perfect pass. It showed when Clark
pulled Scot Ellis to a World Record Jump, and was favored to drive
jumping events at Nationals. What once was criticized on was his
aggressive throttle to the ramp when pulling jumpers is now the same
concept that the Perfect Pass system is based upon.
Don Scheiman had been for
years the golden tongue of announcing at State, Regional and National
level water ski events. Don was a founding father of the organized
skiing in Indiana from the start of its major organization. He began
with the Lake James ski club, and was an integral part of the
beginning of organized tournament skiing in Indiana and the Indiana
State Ski Club which is now the Indiana Water Ski Association. Don’s
nephew, Scot Tynan, is on of the top elite slalom skiers in the
country and placed 2nd in Slalom Senior Open Division at this past
year’s US Nationals.
A letter of thanks from Don Sheimann :
Indiana Water Ski Association September 15, 2003
Dear IWSA Officers and members,
It’s been a little over a month since I was inducted into the IWSA Hall of
Fame and I’m still at a loss for words. You can’t believe how truly honored I
feel to have this award. Water skiing has always been such a huge part of my
life. I’ve made so many friends and have hundreds of wonderful memories.
I’d like to thank John Huntzinger for organizing the presentation, and my
wife, Rene, for keeping it a secret…what a surprise! Thank you to the "powers
that be" for nominating and voting me into this group. I also wish to thank two
very special people, Randy Sharkey and John Miller, for their kind words and
long friendship.
After the presentation an article was published in our local paper. I have
heard from so many people and I am still enjoying the attention and
congratulations I’ve received.
The ISWA has done a terrific job in holding the sport of water skiing in the
State of Indiana at its highest level. I’m proud to be a part of this
organization. I can’t help but mention how water skiing has changed since my
first tournament. We were pulled by a Century inboard with a foot throttle and
then we upgraded to a pull throttle. We really thought we were something when we
went to the twin-rig outboards but we needed to keep a mechanic available on
site for emergency repairs. Then came the first inboard built especially for
water skiing, the Correct Craft. Fellow Hall of Famer, Ray Huber, got the first
one in the Midwest and I got the second one.
To watch the sport and the equipment advance through the years to where we
have luxury boats with cruise control ("perfect pass"), to carbon fiber skis,
leaves you in awe of what tomorrow will bring. And that’s not to mention the ski
sites, themselves, referred to as private water. It sure beats the times we had
to stop a tournament because of a log floating down the river or too much boat
traffic on a lake. Ahhh, but the memories, it brings back smiles.
I also consider it an honor to be inducted into the IWSA Hall of Fame with
Clark Smith. Clark was honored for his driving accomplishments and his long
dedication to the sport. Clark drove for me in practice on Lake James before he
became a tournament driver. He also drove for the Lake James Ski Club shows. I
thank Clark for the many hours he gave to me and congratulate him for being
recognized for his contributions to the sport.
Since I’ve retired from skiing I’ve been asked many times what I miss the
most. I have to say, "It’s the people!" Congratulations to you all, the people,
for keeping the sport of water skiing in Indiana at it’s high standard of
excellence.
Sincerely,
Don Scheimann
