NewsStar Article

Not many cities can boast that they are the best in the world at a craft, trade or sport.

In the small world of water skiing, Monroe is the "Mecca," according to former ULM skier Kate Adriaensen, a Belgium native.

"ULM and Monroe is a given in the water ski world," said Adriaensen, who assists the ULM team while earning her MBA. "For collegiate water skiing, ULM is the place anyone would want to be.

"Any skier looking to go into collegiate skiing wants to go to ULM because it is so big in the water ski community, and it has helped grow so many pro water skiers even further."

While the program won its 23rd collegiate national championship this fall, current and former skiers dot the international rankings either in individual events or in the overall standings.

Skiers with ULM ties won a total of 13 medals at the World University Championships in Chile this past week, the most of any college, according to ULM ski coach Treina Landrum.

Adriaensen and Adam Sedlmajer finished second overall in the women's and men's competitions, respectively, as they combined for five medals.

Sedlmajer, a former ULM skier who also helps the team while earning his MBA, is the reigning male overall world champion, a title which he won this summer in

Russia.

The Czech Republic native won the world's most coveted title in a competition that involved the best professional skiers of any age.

"I finished second in the 2009 World Championships, so ever since I knew that I am capable of winning," Sedlmajer said. "That has been my focus ever since.

"It always feels great to win, and to be the best in the world is an unforgettable feeling."

Landrum said one or two skiers on ULM's team also ski professionally each season, and current or former skiers dominated the medal podium at the world championships.

Since water skiing isn't an NCAA-sanctioned sport, college skiiers can receive money and ski professionally.

"It's very interesting when you look at the world championships because they are open to anybody of any age," said Landrum, who is also the director of recreational services. "Current or former ULM skiers won almost every event in that competition.

"The water skiing world is small, but I don't know if you would find another sport where, if you put the best on a grid, that many would come from one

university."

The bayou backdrop and warm Louisiana waters that allow for year-round practice are several draws for international skiers, Adriaensen said.

"Every one knows we are the best team out there with the best training facilities and one of the most cohesive groups you will find," Adriaensen said. "The support that we get from the university and the students is majorly important to us.

"We train hard every day, and fight for that collegiate national title, and other titles every year."

Landrum said the ULM administration and student body supports the sport better than any other university.

Students voted to pay a $1 fee to help offset costs for the program, and the university offers scholarships for skiing.

The ski team has appeared on ESPN several times during televised ULM football games, and Landrum said the University showcases the ski team any chance it gets.

ULM president Nick Bruno personally cheered on the Warhawks in Zachary this fall at the collegiate national championships. ULM beat out in-state rival

Louisiana-Lafayette, whom Landrum says is also a water ski power.

"The University of Louisiana at Monroe Water Ski Team has a long and celebrated tradition of excellence," Bruno wrote in an email. "This program benefits our university in many ways.

"Our team, comprised of world-class athletes who are also successful in the classroom, brings positive attention to our university — locally, nationally and internationally."

The program's roots formed when three Northeast Louisiana University students met each other as independent water skiers in Leesville in 1977.

By 1979, the student group built a ski jump on Bayou Desiard, had a university adviser, and were already performing well in competitions.

As the program continued to gain recognition, its biggest selling point eventually became practicing with high-level skiers.

"That's what makes it even more fun, skiing with people that are training and competing for the same goal as you," Adriaensen said. "There is no rivalry between us, we share thoughts, help each other out, and then whoever is best on the water that day wins."

On the international stage, skiers compete with their country's federation, but Adriaensen said she usually spends a lot of time with ULM teammates, whom she will be competing against.

"(Alex Lauretano, U.S.) and (Silki De Lacy, New Zealand) and I competed against each other at the world university championships, but we were also there to support each other and help each other out if needed," Adriaensen said. "The ULM group still ends up always being together at the ski site, cheering each other on from the side or at the dock.

"We coach each other, and the fact that we're all at such a high level basically means that we are skiing with the best in the world while getting coached by the best in the world."

Other ULM skiers who finished well at the university or world championships include Daniel Odvarko (Czech Republic), Martin Bartalsky (Slovakia) and Adam Pickos (U.S.).

Adriaensen and Sedlmajer said while some expenses are offset by the country's federation and sponsors, few if any make a living in water skiing.

An education at a U.S. college and a chance to pursue professional skiing makes it an "opportunity of a lifetime," said Sedlmajer.

"Studying in the U.S. while skiing and getting everything basically for free? Can't get better than that anywhere in the world."

Both want to continue skiing. Sedlmajer said he can supplement his skiing income by offering training, and Adriaensen is considering a more specific accounting degree for when she "decides to grow up and go into the working world."