Ski Sprites Hall of Fame - 2004

  The Ski Sprites Water Ski Show Team is very proud of all of our past & current members, of which there are many. We celebrated our 40th year of performing for the Chippewa Valley of Western Wisconsin in July of 2000.
  The Ski Sprites of the 21st century wish to recognize some of our more outstanding members. Starting with our Honorary members who founded the Ski Sprites in 1960, the following members have taken the talents they had learned from this organization to another level, which have helped to promote & preserve the sport of water skiing. Other members who fit within this criteria, will be inducted into our Hall of Fame in the future, as we continue our research.
  There are many others, throughout our 4 decade long history, that have given of themselves to improve the Ski Sprites organization for its future members. It's these members, who've made extraordinary accomplishments within our organization, that will be the center of our attention, as we research our membership for new inductees in the years to come.
  Former Ski Sprites Members: If you know of an individual who has contributed to the Ski Sprites organization, in such a way that you feel he/she should be considered as a potential Hall of Fame Inductee, please contact Scott Edwards at swedwards@charter.net with supporting information. The Ski Sprites will do additional research on each individual, with all names being considered as a nominee for the 'Ski Sprites Hall of Fame'.

(This table of information is sorted by Ski Sprites start date)

Member Name

 Ski Sprites Career Pro Career

Organization/Sport

 Accomplishments
Vern & Ruby Caspersen 1960

Honorary

Ski Sprites
Water Ski Club

Founding Parents
Fritz Bushendorf 1960

Honorary

 Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Mick Candell 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Butch Caspersen 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Don Mickelson 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Phillip(Flip) Storrs 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Jim Wright 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Founding Skier
Bob Caspersen 1960

Honorary

Ski SpritesWater Ski Club

Tow Boat Driver, Mechanic
Mary Kohnen-Ennis ?

1966

Tommy Bartlett's, Wis. Dells, WI

1st Ski Sprite to go "Professional"
Mike Hanson 1966 - 2000

1977 - 2000

Various Managerial Positions in State/National Water Ski Organizations
  • Longest Running Membership
    with the Ski Sprites
  • Has been associated with the Wis. Water Ski Federation (WWSF) since 1977, Vice-President 1998 - 2000
  • (NSSA) National Show Ski Association Representative,
    1995 - 2000
  • Achieved 501(c) 3 status (Non-Profit Organization) for Ski Sprites from Internal Revenue Service
  • Spear-headed the Driver Ratings Program within the National Show Ski Association (NSSA)
Rick Chappell 1968 - 1976

1974

Professional Shows

SeaWorld - Ohio
1st Ski Sprite to go to a
  SeaWorld Park
While at Sea World,
  participated in setting a
  "World Record"- 11 Man
  Barefoot Line

 Rick performed many firsts, while an active 
  member of  the Ski Sprites:
  • 1st Multiple Barefoot Act (along with Dan Schulner & Jim Wright [2nd member of same name])
  • 1st Barefoot Beach Start
  • 1st Bomb-Out
  • 1st Deep-Water Start
  • Last Ski Sprite to perform the "Fire Jump"
Don Krushke 1970 - 1976 1992 - Present Amateur Shows & Competitive Tournaments
1979 - Present: Member of
  PLWSA (Prior Lake Water Ski
  Association)
1986 - 1989: President of
  PLWSA
Currently (2001) involved in
  Junior Development Program
  of Minnesota
  • 1st Tumble Turn in Eau Claire area
  • 1973 - 74: Placed in Top 5 at the Wisconsin State Barefoot Tournement
  • 1994 Minnesota State Water Ski Championships
  • Tricks - 1st Place
  • Jump - 1st Place
  • Overall - 1st Place
    •
  • Currently (2001), AWSA ranked in Tricks. Still competing in Tricks, Slalom & Jump - Men's 4 Div.
    •
    Tim Allen 1970 - 1975

    1975

    		 Professional Shows

    Tommy Bartlett's - Performed
      in the '1975 Okinawa
      International Ocean
      Exposition'     , which celebrated
      the Reversion of Okinawa back
      to the Japanese people

    		 Tim was an accomplished Kite Flyer.
      Unfortunately, Tim was killed in a Kite
      Accident in Diamond Bluff, WI in 1977.
    Tim had tried out for Cypress Gardens -
      Winter Haven, FL. His skill level exceeded
      their requirements, with no openings
      available at the time. Shortly after Tim's
      accident, Cypress Gardens requested his
      skiing skills, unaware of his death.
    Amy Gilbertson-Biedleman 1973 - 1975

    1977 - 1979

    		 Professional Shows

    Tommy Bartlett's - W. Dells, WI

    		 1st to Climb to 3rd Tier of  Pyramid at
      Ski Sprites
    Julie Dow-Jenkins 1974 - 1978 1978 - Present Professional Shows

    1978 - 1979 Tommy Bartlett's
      Great Smoky Mountain Water
      Circus, Pigeon Forge, TN
    1982 - 1983 Jimmie Durnam
      Water Ski Shows;
      Myrtle Beach, SC
    1984 - Present Competitive
      Tournaments

    		 1984  Was a partner in starting 'Ski Decorah'
      Water Ski School & Tournament Complex;
      Adams-Friendship, WI
    Competitive 3-Event Tournaments
    • 1993 Wis. State 3-Event Tournament
      Jump - 1st Place
      Slalom - 1st Place
      Overall - 1st Place
    • 1998 Midwest Regional 3-Event Tournament
      Slalom - 1st Place
      Overall - 1st Place
    • 1999 Midwest Regional 3-Event Tournament
      Slalom - 1st Place
      Overall - 1st Place
    • 2000 WI State 3-Event Tournament, Women's 2 Div.
      Tricks - 1st Place
      Slalom - 1st Place
      Jump - 1st Place
      Overall - 1at Place
    Lori Mickelson 1976 - 1979

    1980-1987

    		 Professional Shows

    1980  Tommy Bartlett's,
      Wisconsin Dells, WI
    1981 - 1984  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1985  SeaWorld - Ohio
    1986  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1986  SeaWorld - San Antonio

    		 2nd Generation Ski Sprite (Don Mickelson)
      Skied Professionally in:
    • Martinique of the Caribbean Islands, 1985
    • Brazil, 1987
    • Japan

    Coordinated the setting-up & opening of the
      Water Ski Show Park at SeaWorld -
      San Antonio, TX
    Started the 1st Water Ski Show Team in the
      State of Maine, "The Maine Attraction"
      in 1989
    Mike Arnstad 1977- Present

    1992 1998

    		 Barefoot Competition 1992   Regional Barefoot Tournament
       Tricks - 1st Place
    1995  Wis. State Barefoot Tournament
       Tricks - 1st Place
       Jump - 2nd Place
       Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1996 Wis. State Barefoot Tournament
       Jump - 2nd Place
       Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1998 Wis. State Barefoot Tournament,
        Men's 3
       Tricks - 6th Place
       Slalom - 9th Place
       Jump - 5th Place
       Overall - 7th Place
    1998 Illinois State Barefoot Tournament,
        Men's 3
       Slalom - 4th Place
       Jump - 5th Place
       Overall -5th Place
    Jill Dow-Elliott 1979 - 1985

    1986 - 1991

    		 Professional Shows
    1986 - 1989  Tommy Bartlett's,
      Wisconsin Dell, WI
    1990 - 1991  Marine World,
      San Francisco, CA
    1998   Badgerland Show Team,
      Merton, WI
    1999 - Present  Rock Aqua-Jays
      Show Team, Janesville, WI    		 Badgerland - Former National Show Ski
      Champions
    Rock Aqua-Jays - 1999 National Show Ski
      Champions
    Al McCoy 1979

    1979 - 1999

    		 Professional Shows
    1979  Tommy Bartlett's Great
      Smoky Mountain Water
      Circus, Pigeon Forge, TN
    1980 - 1985  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1989 - 1999   Tommy Bartlett's,
      Wisconsin Dells, WI    		 Show Director, Tommy Bartlett's, Wi. Dells
    Competed in the Coor's Water Ski Tour in
      late 1980's
    John O'Brien 1979 - 1982

    1983 - 1988

    		 Professional Shows
    Skied for Water Ski Shows, Inc.
      1983/84  Great Smoky Mountain Water Circus, Pigeon Forge, TN
    (A former Tommy Bartlett Park)
      1985/86  Six Flags Great America, Jackson, New Jersey    		 End of 1986 - 1988  Holiday Park;
      Hassloch, Germany
    Became Head Boat Driver for Water Ski
      Shows, Inc. in later part of career
    Bill Vaudreuil 1980 - 1984

    1984 - 1987

    		 Professional Shows
    Skied for Water Ski Shows, Inc.
    		 1984  Great Smoky Mountain Water Circus;
      Pigeon Forge, TN
    1985 - 87  Six Flags Great America;
      Jackson, New Jersey
    Andy Amundson 1981 - 1985

    1985 - 1987

    		 Professional Shows
    Skied for Water Ski Shows, Inc.
    1985-86  Six Flags Great
      Adventures; Jackson, N.J.
    1987-88  Holiday Park;
      Hassloch, Germany
    1989  SeaWorld - San Antonio
    1991-93  Tommy Bartlett's;
      Wisconsin Dells, WI    		 1996 & 1997  Ski School in Lake Tahoe, CA;
      operated by Karen, Linda & Andy
      Amundson
    Karen Amundson 1981 - 1982

    1983 - 1988

    		 Professional Shows
    1983  Great Smoky Mountain
      Water Circus;
      Pigeon Forge, TN
      (for Water Ski Shows, Inc.)
    1984  SeaWorld - Orlando
    Fall of '84  Great Smoky
      Mountain Water Circus;
      Pigeon Forge, TN
    1985-86  Six Flags Great
      Adventures; Jackson, N.J.
      (for Water Ski Shows, Inc.)
    1987-88  Holiday Park;
      Hassloch, Germany
      (for Water Ski Shows, Inc.)    		 1996 & 1997  Ski School in Lake Tahoe, CA;
      operated by Karen, Linda & Andy
      Amundson
    Mark Kruger 1982 - 1996 1997 - Present Professional Shows
    Skied for Water Ski Shows, Inc.
    1984  Great Smoky
      Mountain     Water Circus at Six
      Flags Great America;
      Pigeon Forge, TN
    1997  SeaWorld - Orlando    		 2nd Generation Ski Sprite, (Gary Kruger)
    Performed as skier at SeaWorld, turned boat
      driver later in his career
    Bob Doughty 1985 - 1989 1990 - Present Professional Shows

    SeaWorld - San Anotonio
    SeaWorld - Orlando
    Darling Harbor - Australia
    Holiday Park - Hassloch, Germany
    SeaWorld - Ohio

    		 1990  SeaWorld - San Antonio (Summer)
    1991  SeaWorld - San Antonio (Summer)
    1992-1993  SeaWorld - Orlando
    Late 1994/Early 1995   Darling Harbor,
      Australia
    1995  Holiday Park;  Hassloch, Germany
    Late 1995/ Early 1996  Darling Harbor,
      Australia
    1996   SeaWorld - San Antonio
               SeaWorld - Ohio
               SeaWorld - Orlando
    1997   SeaWorld - San Antonio
               SeaWorld - Ohio
    1998-1999  SeaWorld - Orlando
    2000  SeaWorld - Ohio (Show Director)
                  SeaWorld - Orlando (Fall)
    2001      SeaWorld - San Antonio
      (Show Director - 'Viva', a choreographed
      high-diving water show)
    2001      SeaWorld - Orlando (Fall)
    Dee Dee Doughty-Day 1985 - 1987 1988 - Present Collegiate Tournaments & Professional Shows

    World Entertainment
      Services     (Sea World)

    Jack Ellison Water Ski
      Enterprises

    GT Ultra-Lights (Gary
      Thompson)

    Stars of Florida

    1995-96  University of Central
      Florida Water Ski Team

    		 1998 - 89  SeaWorld - Ohio
    1989 - Present  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1994 (Summer)  SeaWorld - San Diego
    1996 (Summer)  Tommy Bartlett's,
      Wis. Dells
    2000 (Summer)  SeaWorld - San Antonio
    2001  SeaWorld - Orlando

    2001 'Nova' Award Recipient for the Most
      Outstanding Female Skier at World
      Entertainment Services, who provide water
      ski entertainment around the U.S. & the
      World, including SeaWorld     - San Antonio;
      SeaWorld - Orlando, SeaWorld - Australia
      & Jazz Land, New Orleans, LA.

    Dee Dee has traveled around the world,
      performing in water ski shows, including the
      Virgin Islands, Japan, Dubai, Australia,
      Egypt & Ecuador
    Andy Aubry 1986 - 1989 1991 - Present Professional Shows
    1991  Bellewarde Park; Iper
      Belgium (ARA Enterprises)
    1992  Holiday Park; Hassloch,
      Germany
      (Water Ski Shows, Inc.)
    1993  Indiana Beach;
      Monticellio, Indiana (Water
      Ski Shows, Inc.)
    1994 (Spring)
      SeaWorld - San Diego
      (GT Ultralights)
    1994 (Summer)  Six Flags Great
      Adventures; Jackson, N. J.
      (GT Ultralights)
    1995 (Fall)  SeaWorld - Orlando
      (Busch Entertainment)
      1998 (Spring) SeaWorld - Orlando
    (World Entertainment Services)
      2000 (Winter)
    Water World Stunt Show;
    Osaka, Japan
    (Universal Studios - Japan)    		 1990: Joined Gatorland Water Ski Club of
      Keystone Heights, FL

    Nominated for the 2000 Nova Award for the
      most outstanding male skier at World Entertainment Services,         who provide water ski entertainment around the U.S. & the World, including SeaWorld - San Antonio; SeaWorld - Orlando, SeaWorld - Australia & Jazz Land, New Orleans, LA.

    Currently (2001- Spring of 2002) employed as
      Stuntman/Water Skier by Universal Studios, Osaka, Japan
    Chris Coupland 1986-1987
    2000-2001

    1988-1991

    		 Professional Shows
    1988-1989  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1991  SeaWorld - San Antonio    		 1990  Show Director for Water Ski
      Entertainment Services in Belgium
    1994  Spent 10 1/2 days skiing the
      Mississippi River, from Mpls. MN to New
      Orleans, LA., to raise awareness & funds for
      the American Water Ski Education
      Foundation and the Red Cross
    2001  Representative to the National Show
      Ski Association (NSSA)
    Randy Hazelton, Jr. 1986 - 1990
    1995 - 1996

    1991 - 1993
    1999

    		 Professional Shows
    1991-1993  SeaWorld - Orlando
    1999 - Cypress Gardens;
        Winter Haven, FL    		  
    Rod Negus 1987 - 1990

    1991 - Present

    		 1984 - 1985  Menomin Trolls
      Water Ski Team (3 Event);
      Menomonie,    WI

    1986  Rockford Ski Broncs;
      Rockford, IL (Show Team)

      Barefoot Competition    		 1991  Minnesota State Barefoot
        Championships
      Gold Medalist - Wake Slalom
      Silver Medalist - Tricks
      Won the Overall Title
    1992  Wisconsin State Barefoot
        Championships
      Gold  - Wake Slalom
      Gold  - Tricks
      Won the Overall Title
    1994  Wisconsin State Barefoot
        Championships
      Bronze  - Wake Slalom
      Bronze  - Tricks
    1995  Wisconsin State Barefoot
        Championships
      Gold  - Wake Slalom
      Bronze  - Tricks
    1997  Wisconsin State Barefoot
        Championships
      Silver  - Tricks
    1998  Upper Midwest Barefoot
        Championships; Fergus Falls, MN
      Silver  - Jump
      Silver  - Tricks
      Bronze - Wake Slalom
    1998 Minnesota State Barefoot
        Championships
      Silver - Jump
      Silver - Wake Slalom
      Silver - Tricks
    1999 Upper Midwest Barefoot
        Championships (Fergus Falls, MN)
      Gold - Jump
      Bronze - Tricks
    1999 Minnesota State Barefoot
        Championships
      Silver - Tricks
      Bronze - Jump
    1999 Midwest Regional Barefoot
        Championships (Ski Decorah; Adams, WI)
      Jump - 4th Place
    2000 Minnesota State Barefoot
        Championships
      Silver - Jump
      Silver - Tricks
      Bronze - Wake Slalom
    2000 Midwest Regional Barefoot
        Championships (Ski Decorah; Adams, WI)
      Wake Slalom - 4th Place
    2000 Barefoot Nationals (Houston, TX)
      8th Place - Overall
    2001 Midwest Regional Barefoot
        Championships (Ski Decorah; Adams, WI)
      3rd Place - Overall
    2001 Upper Midwest Barefoot
        Championships (Fergus Falls, MM)
      Gold - Tricks
      Gold - Wake Slalom
      Gold - Jump
      Won the Overall Title
    Brent Edwards 1989- Present

    2000 - 2001

    Professional Shows
    Skied for
    World Entertainment Services

    		 2000 (Summer)  SeaWorld - Ohio
    2001 (Summer)  SeaWorld - San Antonio
    Trisha Edwards 1989-Present

    2001

    Professional Shows
    Skied for
    World Entertainment Services

    		 2001 (Summer)
       SeaWorld - San Antonio
       Jazz Land - New Orleans, LA
    Hunter Hanson 1989-Present

    1994-Present

    		 2nd Generation Ski Sprite (Mike Hanson)

    Competitve Tournaments    		 1994 Twin Cities Open; Junior Boy's
                (Minn. Barefoot Association)
      Tricks - 2nd Place
      Wake Slalom - 2nd Place
    1995 Midwest Barefoot Championships
                (Ski Decorah; Adams, WI)
        Junior Boy's Div.
      Tricks - 1st Place
      Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1996 Wis. State Barefoot Tournament,
        Junior Boy's Div.
      Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1997 Wis. State Barefoot Tournament
        Junior Boy's Div.
      Wake Slalom - 1st Place
      Tricks - 1st Place
      Overall - 1st Place
    1998 Midwest Barefoot Regional's, Boys 3
      Wake Slalom - 5th Place
      Tricks - 5th Place
      Jump - 4th Place
      Overall - 4th Place
    1998 Wis. State Barefoot Tournament,
       Boys 3
      Tricks - 4th Place
      Slalom - 4th Place
      Jump - 2nd Place
      Overall - 2nd Place
    1998 Illinois State Barefoot Tournament,
      Boy's 3
      Slalom - 4th Place
      Jump - 2nd Place
      Overall - 3rd Place
    2000 Wis. State Wakeboard Tournament
      Expert - 2nd Place
    2000 Wis. State Double-Up Championship
      (Wakeboard)
    2001 Wis. State Barefoot Figure 8
      Endurance Race - 3rd Place
    Heidi Otterholt 1989 - 1999
    2000 - Present

    1993 - 1994

    Competitive Barefoot Tournaments

    		 1993  Minnesota State Barefoot Tournament
       Best Out of State Performance - Girls
    1994  Wis. State Barefoot Tournament
        Tricks - 1st Place
        Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1994  Midwest Regional Barefoot Trnmt.
        Tricks - 2nd Place
       Wake Slalom - 1st Place
    1994  Barefoot Nationals Tournament
        Tricks - 7th Place
        Wake Slalom - 3rd Place
    Erik Krautbauer 1989 - 1994

    1994 - 2000

    		 Professional Shows
                                   & Instruction
    SeaWorld - San Diego
    SeaWorld - Ohio
    Marine World - San Francisco
    Water Ski Inc. - Germany
      (GT Ultra-Lites)
    Water Ski Inc. - Holland
      (GT Ultra-Lites)    		 Wakeboard Instructor in Turkey
    Gary Smith 1990 - 1995

    1996 - Present

    Professional Shows
    Skis for
    World Entertainment Services

    		 SeaWorld - Orlando
    Amber Zepaltas 1991 - 1997

    1997 - 1998
    2000 - 2001

    Professional Shows
    Skied for
    World Entertainment Services

    		 SeaWorld - Orlando
    Mr. Gene Wright 1960 - ?

    2002

    Ski Sprites Water Ski Club

    		 - Assisted in Sponsorship Organizing
      (LinkBros.Sports Center of Minong, WI for boats
       and engines & Cypress Gardens of Florida for
       ski equipment)
    - Safety Team Member
    - Equipment Contributor
      (Provided Ski Sprites with their First Safety Boat)
    - Great Moral Supporter
    Mr. Jerry Watkins 1960 - 1976

    2002

    Ski Sprites Water Ski Club

    		 - Tow Boat Driver
    - Safety Team Member
    - Equip. Contributor
      (Personal boat used as a Safety Boat)
    - Former Officer of Ski Sprites
       President, V. President, Show Director
    - Provided Financial Assistance to Club in
      Equip. Purchases
       (Team's first Hydro-Dyne Ski Boat)
    Scott DePorter 1999 - 2001

    2002 -?

    Professional Shows
    Skied for
    World Entertainment Services

    		  Jazzland in New Orleans, LA
        (In Aug. '02, Jazzland was acquired by Six Flags, Inc.)
    Mr. Tom Holter 1959-1962

    9-1-2003

    Ski Sprites Water Ski Club

    		 - First Show Announcer
          As Mr. Holter was a TV-13 & WBIZ Radio
       personality, he brought Professional
       Broadcaster Experience to the Club, which
       helped tremendously to attract attention to an
       exciting,  new entertainment entity in the
       Chippewa Valley.
    Mr. Gary Kruger 1960-1965
    1982-1987

    9-1-2003

    Ski Sprites Water Ski Club

    		 - 1st Barefoot Skier
           Was actually below the minimum age for
       membership, but was excepted into Club
       account of his tremendous BF Talent.
    - 2nd Ski Sprite Career came when son, Mark,
       joined the Club in 1982
    - Taught many young people to waterski and in
       the process, many joined the Ski Sprites
    Future Members to be added        

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