Ikl '84 honored by US Sailing

6 March 2007 Ikl honored by US Sailing

HWS Sailing Head Coach Scott Ikl '84 was recently named the 2006 Doc Counsilman Science Award winner by US SAILING's Olympic Sailing Committee. The U.S. Olympic Committee will select an overall Doc Counsilman Science Award winner from among the winners chosen by each Olympic sport's governing body.

Ikl has been at the forefront of utilizing science and health to augment sailors' overall athleticism and racing ability. From weight training and cardiovascular workouts to developing nutritional programs that help athletes reach their peak performance, he helps athletes reach new athletic levels. Ikl educates athletes on the direct correlation between physical conditioning and positive self-esteem, which provides a better opportunity for success.

A highly successful coach at both the international and collegiate levels, Ikl led the U.S. Sailing team at the 2003 Pan American games in the Dominican Republic. In 1999, he served as an assistant coach for the U.S. team at the PanAm Games, and four years later, was the head coach of the U.S. team at the International Sailing Federation World Sailing Games in Marseille, France. Ikl is slated to be the U.S. Team Leader at the 2007 Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

At the Colleges, Ikl has guided HWS to 28 Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association championship berths, earning 12 top three finishes, including the 2005 Team Race and Coed Dinghy National Championships. Now in his 14th season at his alma mater, Ikl has mentored 38 All-American Sailors.

In 2003, Ikl was named the US SAILING National Coach of the Year. Five years earlier, he received the US SAILING Developmental Coach of the Year award. In addition, Ikl has served the sport of sailing as a U.S. Sailing Certified Judge, President of the American 505 Class, and board member of various junior sailing associations. He's also a frequent contributor to Sailing World magazine.

An experienced sailor, Ikl has won numerous regatta championships on the International, North American, National, and District levels in various different classes, including the Laser, 49er, Lightning, 505, FD, One Ton, International Fifty Foot, Mum 30, and Maxi Classes. An accomplished fleet racer, he's had international success in match and team racing.