Col. Ernest Biggs served 31 years in the United States Air Force.  He began flying P-51 Mustangs in World War II.  He flew in the Korean War and ended his career flying F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam.  During his military tenure, he earned the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.  He retired in August of 1971 at Maxwell AFB, where he was assigned to the Headquarters of Air University.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Military History, a Master’s degree in Political Science, and a Ph.D. in History, Col. Biggs taught at Troy State University and Alabama State University after his retirement.  He then spent five years as the Academic Dean at Faulkner University.

Col. Biggs founded the water ski show team in the late 1970’s.  During his tenure as the Academic Dean at Faulkner University, he began inviting students to his lake cabin and taught them to ski.  Col. Biggs said people always talked about helping young people, and he decided to do something to help them.  Eventually the group evolved into a ski team, and they performed their first show for Montgomery’s Jubilee City Fest.  The team has continued to grow and now it is an independent non-profit corporation that carries on the legacy of Col. Biggs.