NEWS
Alan Rossi Memorial
The Green Mountain Water Skiers and New England skiing lost a good friend in 2007. Alan Rossi, who passed away on April 21st, was a participant, official and integral contributor to NH and VT tournaments. He was also a frequent participant in Regionals and Nationals.
In communications throughout the summer, the common thread was that Alan helped many of us in skiing and in life. He loved informally coaching individuals on their skiing and fostering the development of officials. Some personal notes are posted, and we took the steps below to remember Alan.
First, along with the encouragement of Fred Costello (who lost his son in 2003), and recognizing that in many years we may only have one tournament up here, we renamed our tournament The Tom Costello Alan Rossi Slalom Derby.
Second, believing that Alan's interest in coaching and mentoring was complementary to the Region's focus on junior development, we established a fundraising campaign to benefit JD. The participation was heartwarming and well beyond our expectations. The four clubs that host the tournaments that Alan participated in, GMWS, Abenacki (Swaffield), Dube's (VanHam, Myers), and 3 Seasons (Tilton), each made a contribution. We collected donations at two tournaments. A number of individuals made contributions, some extremely generous. Our plan is to make a yearly contribution to Junior Development. For 2007, in total, minus the costs of the awards noted below, we donated $1700 to Junior Development in Alan's name!!!
Alan's family will also be participating actively and financially in skier development. We've had a number of conversations with his wife Connie and daughter Angela. The ideas have focused on recreational-type clinics in the Vermont area and competition-type clinics in VT, Wolfeboro, Adams Pond, and Pangaea. It is likely that the family's contributions will be made directly to particular clinics and camps that will be proposed. We've had a number of individuals including Mike Kusiak express interest in donating time to coaching.
Third, we established an award in his name, the Alan Rossi Memorial Award, to be given to a New England recipient--any competitor/official with ties to NE. We had a large plaque made for the family that will note the yearly recipient, and a smaller plaque to be given to the recipient. The plaques were engraved as follows:
"Presented each year to the skier and/or official who best exemplifies the spirit of Alan Rossi: "The Real Deal," a love of the sport, enthusiasm and dedication to tournament water skiing, an interest in helping others, and a true friend."
The first Alan Rossi Memorial Award was presented to Howie Emerson at the New England Slalom Championships in September. Howie has given so much to the sport and made it possible for many New England skiers to become officials. On hand from the Rossi family were Connie, brother Mark and nephew Chris. Connie reflected on what Howie meant to her and Alan.
The Alan Rossi Memorial Award be included yearly in the AWSA Eastern Region guidebook.
2007 Barefoot Blast cancelled. None planned for 2008. Back in 2009.
Passing of Alan Rossi With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Alan Rossi on April 21, 2007. Alan was a friend and mentor to many, many people in the local waterski community and New England tournament skiing. He competed at the regional and national levels, was instrumental in Jamie Beauschesne's career development, was the uncle of world-class skier Chris Rossi... His accomplishments and contributions go on and on... A newspaper summary can be read here. He leaves his wife Connie, daughter Angie, brother Mark, nephews Chris and Tony, father and many extended family members. Please see our tribute to Alan.
Warren Witherall to be inducted into Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame. According to Brian Irwin, he has also indicated interest in coming back to VT next summer to do a clinic/ski day in our area.
Tom Costello Classic slalom tournament to be held at Waterbury Reservoir, Blush Hill entrance, rather than Wrightsville on Aug. 26, 2006. See photos.
2006 Barefoot Blast was cancelled.
Slalom Clinic with Jamie Beauchesne was held August 1 and 2, 2006. Great coaching was provided for about 18 participants.
Observer Law Passed (with modifications)!!
2006 Annual Meeting & Spring Banquet was held on Saturday afternoon/evening, May 13th, 5:00 p.m. at the home of Bruce and Donna Epstein. Invitation with directions went out by email on 5/5/06. First notification made to the membership by email on 4/13/06.
Prep for meeting: Please review the suggested agenda, minutes from last year and treasurer's report (to be posted by Wed. May 10) in advance. Send an email if you have an addition to the agenda.
PLEASE..... respond to me how many will be attending, by Wednesday May 10. The plan is to order take-out food.
Our 2005 Annual Meeting and Spring Banquet was held on Saturday evening, May 7th, 6:30 p.m. at Arvads in downtown Waterbury. You may review the minutes. The treasurer's report from 2004 was approved.
The minutes contain updates on Waterbury Reservoir and Observer Law, but we hope to have a lengthier report on each in the near future.
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