The Rollie Williams Award is given to an outstanding member of the Indiana Water Ski Association, who through their display of sportsmanship and leadership has promoted the sport of Water skiing in Indiana in a manner characteristic of the late Rollie Williams. Although the award is not necessarily given every year, this year’s 2003 award went to Brian Detty of Hawthorn Lake.

Brian has served on the IWSA board for the last 5 years, of which the first three years he served the board as Secretary. Brian has helped host 4 different State Tournaments with 2 different clubs; Two at the Fairland site in the 90's and two at his home site at Hawthorn Lake in Danville- The first in 2000 and this years’ 2003 State Tournament. He has attained a three-event regular driver's rating and is ready to upgrade to a Senior rating status. Brian has hosted drivers clinics at his home the last few years, has provided his boat and helped drive the junior clinics in Indianapolis. Brian is a founding father of the Big Rig Jump Club, which has held many jump/ski fly clinics with Scott Ellis at Hawthorn Lake. This has brought some new excitement to the jump event in Indiana. I can't say enough about Brian, not only does he and his family bring good sportsmanship and enthusiasm to skiing, he also holds the men’s 3 state tournament jump record of 149 feet.

Naturally when the award was announced at the State Tournament, Brian was in the adjoining room sorting trophies for the awards banquet and didn't even get the full surprise of the announcement as someone had to get his attention. Brian was surprised and a little lost for words. But Brian was quick to thank his family and quick to recognize the friends he has acquired through water skiing, while admitting that most of his friends are the same people that he skis and competes with.

All the Past Rollie Williams Recipients would like to congratulate Brian for all his dedication and efforts toward promoting the sport of water skiing in the state of Indiana.