originally posted on 7/28/2025
ACE President Elizabeth Ringas with ACE Honorary Member Matt Crowther.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
Guide to Ride, ACE Coaster Classic, the ACE Census, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions support and regional rep mentoring — these are just a few of the many lasting contributions Matt Crowther made to ACE over his decades of service. Never one to seek the spotlight, Matt’s quiet, consistent dedication helped shape the foundation of the ACE we know today.
For many, including the author, Guide to Ride was an early gateway into the world of coaster enthusiasm. Long before the internet, Roller Coaster DataBase (rcdb.com) or dynamic online tools, this indispensable publication — released during Matt’s time as ACE’s preservation director — served as the enthusiast’s bible, cataloging every operating coaster in North America. The author’s own copy remains so treasured that it was located within 30 seconds — an enduring symbol of its impact.
Matt’s ACE journey began thanks to the influence of his wife, Betsy Abrams, whom he married at the 1990 ACE Spring Conference in true enthusiast fashion on Cannonball at Lake Winnepesaukah (Rossville, Georgia). Together, they shared a life filled with adventure, not just on coasters but through their mutual careers and travels.
Professionally, Matt spent his entire career as a meteorologist, joining The Weather Channel as one of its original staffers when it launched in 1980 from a basement studio in Marietta, Georgia. His expertise and calm presence made him a trusted voice in forecasting, and he carried that same spirit into his work with ACE.
Even today, Matt and Betsy continue to seek out adventure, whether chasing storms across the Southwest or exploring far-flung corners of the globe, including Africa and Antarctica. One remarkable glimpse into this shared passion can be seen in a broadcast clip featuring the couple on a storm chase in southwest Texas with fellow meteorologist John Moore: Watch here.
Matt Crowther’s service to ACE was marked by humility, insight and a steadfast commitment to preservation and discovery. His contributions live on in the tools he helped create, the traditions he supported and the adventures he inspired in so many of us.
— Elizabeth Ringas, ACE President
American Coaster Enthusiasts
is pleased to recognize
Matt Crowther
as an
Honorary Member
ACE salutes Matt Crowther for his outstanding dedication and contributions to the organization.
Since joining ACE in 1987, Matt served as Preservation Director from 1998 to 2008, a pivotal time for coaster history, during which he worked to save and relocate several wooden roller coasters. He developed a coaster ranking system for Guide to Ride, updated the ACE census and helped establish the Coaster Classic criteria.
Matt also held various leadership roles, including Inter-club Director (1987–1990), Regional Rep Director (1991–1992) and Georgia Regional Rep. For over a decade, he volunteered at the IAAPA convention, reporting for ACE News and RollerCoaster! Magazine.
ACE is grateful for Matt’s commitment to sharing his research, knowledge and expertise.
June 18, 2025
#ACENews