Tony Hawk

Hawk in November 2006
Personal information
Full name	Anthony Frank Tony Hawk
Nickname(s)	The Birdman
Born	(1968-05-12) May 12, 1968 (age 44) Carlsbad, California, United States
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Skateboarding
Medal record Summer X Games medal record Competitor for  United States Gold 1995 Rhode Island Vert Gold 1997 San Diego Vert Gold 1997 San Diego Vert Doubles Gold 1998 San Diego Vert Doubles Gold 1999 San Francisco Vert Doubles Gold 1999 San Francisco Vert Best Trick Gold 2000 San Francisco Vert Doubles Gold 2001 Philadelphia Vert Doubles Gold 2002 Philadelphia Vert Doubles Silver 1995 Rhode Island Park Silver 1996 Rhode Island Vert Silver 2001 Philadelphia Vert Best Trick Bronze 1998 San Diego Vert Bronze 1999 San Francisco Vert

Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk (born May 12, 1968), nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision. He is widely considered one of the most successful and influential pioneers of modern vertical skateboarding.^[1]

Raised in San Diego, California, Hawk was described as being "hyperactive" as a child. His parents supported his skateboarding because it served as an outlet for his excessive energy, and as Hawk's skills developed, he became a professional skateboarder at age fourteen. In 1999, he became the first skater to land a 900. In 2002, he created the Boom Boom HuckJam, an extreme sports exhibition and tour which launched in Las Vegas.

Throughout his career, Hawk has made numerous appearances in films and other media, as well as his own series of video games. He has also been involved in various philanthropic activities including his own Tony Hawk Foundation which helps build skateparks in underprivileged areas, and also including collaborations with other athletes in the charity Athletes for Hope.

Early life[link]

Hawk was born in Carlsbad, California, to, Frank Peter Rupert Hawk. ^[2][3] When Hawk was young, he was described as being "hyperactive,"^[3] and his mother says that he was "so hard on himself and expected himself to do so many things."^[1] One time, Tony struck out in baseball and was so distraught that he hid in a ravine and had to be "physically coaxed out" by his father. His frustration with himself was so harsh that his parents had him psychologically evaluated at school. The results were that Tony was "gifted," and school advisors recommended placing him in advanced classes.^[1]

Hawk attended Jean Farb Middle School from 1980 to 1981, and recently went back there for the show "Homecoming" where he set up a ramp and did a demonstration.

He turned pro by the age of 14^[1] and was the National Skateboard Association world champion for 12 consecutive years.

The 900[link]

On July 27, 1999, Hawk was the first skater to land a 900. He successfully landed the trick, which involves completing two-and-a-half revolutions with the skateboard, on the eleventh attempt. After completing the trick, he commented, "This is the best day of my life."^[4] Nearly 12 years later Hawk was still able to land his famous 900 and posted a video of the trick via his Twitter account stating "I'm 42 and I did a 900 today."^[5]

Endorsements[link]

Boom Boom HuckJam[link]

In 1998, Tony Hawk started freestyle motocross, skateboarding, and BMX with a show in Las Vegas and then on to 31 cities around the USA and eventually to Six Flags amusement parks.^[6]

Video Game Series[link]

A video game series based on his skateboarding debuted in 1999. Since then, the series has spawned 16 titles, including main series titles, spin-offs, and repackages. The latest game of the series is the Tony Hawk: Ride, which involves riding on a skateboard-shaped controller.

Hawk's role in the series was usurped by customizable player characters in later installments,^[7] but he has remained a prominent character. In the 2003 game Tony Hawk's Underground, he is a minor non-player character whom the player meets in Tampa, Florida and skates against. Impressed with the player's skills, Hawk grants them entry into a skate competition.^[8] He later appears in Moscow to teach them the "360 Varial Heelflip Lien" move.^[9] Hawk and other skaters are briefly playable near the end of the game when they skate in a promotional video for the player's skate team,^[10] and in all gameplay modes except the story mode.^[11] He appeared as a kid in the Backyard Sports series Backyard Skateboarding.

Amusement Park Ride[link]

A series of amusement park rides known as Tony Hawk's Big Spin were built in three Six Flags parks in 2007 and 2008. The ride was originally billed as the "total Tony Hawk experience" and was designed to have the look and feel of a giant red-and-black skatepark. It offered a full "extreme sports" experience, with monitors in the queue lines displaying highlights of the history of action sports and a large spinning Tony Hawk figure crowning the ride. The ride was later demolished to make way for a new ride known as Superman: Ultimate Flight (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom) announced to be open in Spring 2012. Additionally, a water park ride called Tony Hawk's Halfpipe was opened at Six Flags America in Bowie, MD.

Film and television appearances[link]

In 1986, Tony Hawk was a featured skateboarder and skater-double for Josh Brolin in the movie Thrashin'. In 1989, he appeared as a skateboarder in Gleaming the Cube. In 2002, he appeared in Neal H. Moritzs's and Christopher Gilcrest's film xXx playing the role of one of Xander Cages stuntman friends, and later in the movie, a skateboarder at a party. In 2004 he played himself in the Australian skateboarding movie Deck Dogz. In 2006, Tony Hawk appeared in a cameo on the film Drake & Josh Go Hollywood as himself; when Drake & Josh steal his car to escape from two crooks with the Geo (iPods) that carry illegal information for counterfeiting money. Tony Hawk also asks for the cops to give Drake & Josh a police escort to Sunset Studios, for a performance on TRL. Hawk has had a cameo in the movie, The New Guy. Hawk appeared in Jackass: The Movie with Mat Hoffman and Bam Margera, skateboarding in a fat suit and Jackass 2, while skateboarding through an obstacle course. Tony appears in the film following the 2006 Gumball Rally, 3000 Miles, again with Bam Margera. He also plays the police officer who arrests Ryan Dunn in the movie Haggard: The Movie. Hawk also made a brief cameo appearance in Lords Of Dogtown as an astronaut, where he is shown comically falling off the skateboard as he is a "rookie". He played himself in an episode of Rocket Power.

Hawk was featured as an extra in the "Weird Al" Yankovic video "Smells like Nirvana". He can be seen sitting in the bleachers during the crowd sweep near Dick Van Patten. He also made a cameo appearance in the Simple Plan music video for "I'm Just a Kid", he can be seen, in a crowd, watching kids at a high school skating..

On television, he has also appeared in Action (TV series), What I Like About You, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Tom Green Show, The Naked Brothers Band and Zeke and Luther, So Random, and All That. Hawk was a guest on the kid's show on Nickelodeon, Yo Gabba Gabba.^[12] In 2000, he played himself in Max Steel. He also guest voiced on The Simpsons episode "Barting Over", where he played himself, along with fellow San Diegans Blink-182. In the episode, Hawk lends Homer a new board from his brand where complete rookies are able to perform at the top levels. He ends up having a comical play off with him after Homer begins to show him up. On the PBS Kids show Cyberchase, he guest starred as Slider's long-lost father, Coop. In the CSI: Miami episode "Game Over" he played a game programmer who was murdered. In 2008, he played on Million Dollar Password. Hawk also played on Fox's Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. Tony Hawk helped design the world famous Canvey Island skate park in 1982 and has hosted Cartoon Network's "Hall of Game" sports award show on February 25, 2011. Hawk was also on the Live-Action/Animated Talk Show Take Two With Phineas and Ferb. Hawk appeared on the internet cooking show Epic Meal Time on October 28, 2011 to celebrate the show's one year anniversary, where he can be seen in the final scene eating a deep-fried pizza cake. He also guest starred on the ABC comedy, Last Man Standing. He also played a skater in Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol.

Skate videos[link]

This section requires expansion.

• 1984: The Bones Brigade Video Show (Powell-Peralta)
• 1985: Future Primitive (Powell-Peralta)
• 1987: The Search for Animal Chin (Powell-Peralta)
• 1988: Public Domain (Powell-Peralta)
• 1989: Ban This (Powell-Peralta)
• 1992: Feasters (Birdhouse)
• 1992: Untitled (Birdhouse)
• 1993: Ravers (Birdhouse)
• 1998: The End (Birdhouse)
• 2001: One Step Beyond (Adio)
• 2007: The Beginning (Birdhouse)

Personal life[link]

Hawk with Lhotse Merriam in 2007.

Hawk married Cindy Dunbar in April 1990.^[13] They had a son, Riley Hawk (born December 6, 1992) whom they named for one of Hawk's ancestors.^[14] Riley also skates for Lakai Limited Footwear and Baker Skateboards.^[15] The couple divorced in 1993.^[3] Hawk married Erin Lee in 1996. They had two sons, Spencer (born March 26, 1999) and Keegan (born July 18, 2001). Lee and Hawk divorced in 2004.^[3] Hawk married Lhotse Merriam on January 12, 2006, on the island of Tavarua, Fiji.^[16] The couple's first child, a daughter named Kadence Clover Hawk, was born on June 30, 2008. The couple announced their divorce on February 7, 2011.^[17]

Tony launched the Tony Hawk Foundation, which has given away more than $3.4 million to help build well over 400 skateparks around the U.S.A. The Foundation supports projects in low income areas and helps underprivileged kids. In 2007, Hawk, Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning and Cal Ripken, Jr. founded the charity Athletes for Hope^[18] which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and aims to inspire all people to volunteer and support their communities.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tony Hawk

• Official website
• tonyhawkfoundation.org
• Tony's Birdhouse Skateboards website
• Tony Hawk at the Internet Movie Database

Bob Burnquist
Burnquist skating in Brazil, 2008
Born	Robert Dean Silva Burnquist (1976-10-10) October 10, 1976 (age 35) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian
Citizenship	United States and Brazil
Occupation	Skateboarder Co-owner of Burnquist Organics
Years active	1992–present
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Spouse	Verônica Nachard
Children	2, Lotus O'Brien Silva Burnquist, Jasmyn
Website
BobBurnquist.com

Summer X Games medal record
Competitor for  Brazil
Gold	2000 San Francisco	Vert Best Trick
Gold	2001 Philadelphia	Vert
Gold	2003 Los Angeles	Vert Doubles
Gold	2005 Los Angeles	Vert Best Trick
Gold	2007 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air
Gold	2008 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air
Gold	2010 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam
Gold	2011 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air
Silver	2002 Philadelphia	Vert
Silver	2002 Philadelphia	Vert Doubles
Silver	2006 Los Angeles	Vert
Silver	2009 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air
Silver	2009 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam
Silver	2010 Los Angeles	Skateboard Big Air
Bronze	1997 San Diego	Vert
Bronze	1998 San Diego	Vert Doubles
Bronze	1999 San Francisco	Vert Best Trick
Bronze	2001 Philadelphia	Vert Best Trick
Bronze	2006 Los Angeles	Vert Best Trick
Bronze	2010 Los Angeles	Vert Best Trick

Robert Dean Silva Burnquist (born October 10, 1976), better known as Bob Burnquist, is a Brazilian professional skateboarder.^[1][2][3] In 2010 he became the first skateboarder to land a fakie to fakie 900. This also makes Burnquist the 5th person in history to have ever landed the 900.

Background[link]

Bob Burnquist was born in Rio de Janeiro to a Swedish-American father and a Brazilian mother.^[3] He became adept at skateboarding in São Paulo. As an adult he emigrated to North America; he holds dual citizenship in Brazil and the U.S.

Career[link]

Burnquist's biggest success to date came at the vert contest at the 2001 X-Games. Before his final run (the last run of the event) he was sitting in second place behind two-time defending champion Bucky Lasek. Burnquist produced a flawless run, including multiple tricks that had never been seen before and, as a result, were unnamed. During the run, commentator Tony Hawk went hoarse and nearly lost his voice while screaming in disbelief. Burnquist was rewarded with a 98, the second highest score ever given in any X-Games skateboarding event, behind only Bucky Lasek's score of a 98.50 the year before.^[4]

Burnquist's specialties are in switch stance skateboarding and creating innovative vert tricks. He has always tried to find new ways to make his tricks more creative and more difficult. He has a signature trick called "one-footed smith grind". Burnquist has also been featured in the hit video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and appeared in all of its sequels with the exception of Pro Skater 3, due to license restrictions as a result of his appearing in another skating game, X-Games Skateboarding, during that year. He returned as a featured character in the series starting again with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and has since appeared in all the series' games following that.

In 2004, Burnquist made a guest appearance as himself on the popular TV series, Kim Possible and also won a gold medal in the 2005 X-Games Best Trick vert contest.

Burnquist is the only skater to go over a loop ramp with a gap in it (OP King Of Skate). Not only was the loop gapped, but Burnquist also did the gap switch. He is also the first skater to go through a loop while riding switch stance, and the first to go all the way around a full pipe just by pumping up to speed inside it. In 2000, Burnquist won the X-Games' best trick contest, with his famous fakie 5-0 with a fakie Kickflip off of the grind bar. He created a trick called "Burntwist", which is in the Tony Hawk's series.

Burnquist completed a BASE jump after attempting a 50-50 into the Grand Canyon. The first attempt nearly cost Burnquist his life after he missed the rail and fell out of control before regaining himself and successfully deploying his parachute. After some adjustments to the take-off ramp his second attempt went off flawlessly. This stunt was shown in an episode of the television show Stunt Junkies.

He formerly lived with professional skateboarder Jen O'Brien, and their daughter Lotus. He now lives with Veronica Nachard and their daughter Jasmyn (born 2007) in Vista, California, where he has a world-renowned vert ramp in his backyard.^[5] This ramp has been skated by dozens of famous skateboarders, including Colin McKay, Tony Hawk, Rune Glifberg Bucky Lasek, and Lincoln Ueda, and has been featured in hundreds of magazines and videos, including Tony Hawk's Trick Tips and Thrasher Magazine.^[6] Burnquist's latest addition to his backyard skate-park is one of the world's few permanent Mega Ramps.^[7]

He had also started the Bob Burnquist Foundation to bring knowledge about organic farming and gardening to schools, and was one of the founders of the Action Sports Environmental Coalition, a nonprofit organization that brings ecological awareness to skateboarders, surfers and BMXers.^[8]

Videography[link]

Burnquist has been featured in many videos including:

• Es Menikmati

• Anti Hero's Self Entitled Video "Anti Hero"

• Anti Hero's First Video "F***tards"

• The Firm's "Can't Stop"

• Flip's "Extremely Sorry"

• Viva La Bam

Burnquist was featured in a commercial for Aero choclate bars.

Contest history[link]

• 1st in 2011 X Games Big Air
• 1st in 2010 X Games Big Air Rail Jam
• 3rd in 2010 X Games Vert Best Trick
• 2nd in 2010 X Games Big Air
• 2nd in 2009 X Games Big Air
• 3rd in 2009 Maloof Money Cup
• 2nd in 2009 X Games Big Air Rail Jam
• 1st in 2008 X Games Big Air
• 1st in 2007 X Games Big Air
• 3rd in 2006 X Games Big Air
• 1st in 2006 The Coolio Games
• 1st in 2005 X Games Vert Best Trick
• 1st in 2003 X Games vert doubles (with Bucky Lasek)
• 2nd in 2002 X Games vert doubles (with Bucky Lasek)
• 1st in 2001 X Games vert
• 1st in 2001 Slam City Jam vert.
• 1st in 2000 X Games Vert Best Trick
• 1st in 2000 Slam City Jam vert.
• 1st in 1995 Slam City Jam vert.
• 4th in 1996 Gravity Games Jam vert.

References[link]

Sean Wayne Conover (born July 31, 1984 in Brockton, Massachusetts) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Bucknell.

Conover has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams and Hartford Colonials.

Early years[link]

Conover graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and earned three varsity letters each in football and basketball, and one in baseball. The football team captured league championships in 2000 and 2001 and were Division 3 state champs in 2001 and runner-up in 2000. He was an All-league selection and the WATD Distinguished Player of the Year. Additionally, he was a Shriner's All-Star selection and a two-time All-league performer and team captain in basketball, leading the league in scoring as a senior.

College career[link]

Conover played college football at Bucknell. In four-year career at Bucknell, Conover played in 36 games and made 34 consecutive starts. Finished career with 142 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks (fifth in school history), nine fumbles forced, three fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed.

Conover, as senior, started all 11 games and repeated as First-team All-Patriot League selection. He also earned George Rieu Award as team's top defensive lineman for second year and received Pete Pedrick Award as most improved Bucknell athlete in senior class (in any sport). He completed senior season with 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. He also played tight end and hauled in seven receptions for 102 yards. As junior, Conover started all 11 games and named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned Second-team All-America honors from Associated Press. Also earned First-team All-Patriot League, George Rieu Award as Bucknell's top defensive lineman and Tom Gadd Coaches' Award. For the year he recorded career-highs in tackles (55), sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (18), forced fumbles (5) and passes defensed (4).

As a sophomore Conover was impressive in his debut on defense as one of five defensive players to start all 12 games. He finished with 43 tackles (20 solo) and led team with 4.0 sacks and had six tackles for loss and forced team-high three fumbles and batted down three passes. He earned Tom Gadd Coaches' Award at season's end, given in recognition of a player's commitment to the Bucknell football program . In 2002 as a Freshman he played tight end and made two varsity appearances on special teams. He caught five passes for 61 yards and made six special teams tackles for the junior varsity squad.

Professional career[link]

Pre-draft[link]

Conover measured 6-5⅛ and 275 pounds and ran a 4.81 forty-yard dash.

Tennessee Titans[link]

Conover was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans. As a rookie in 2006, he played six games with two starts and totaled 21 tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback pressures after spending the first 11 weeks of season on practice squad.

By playing for the Titans, Conover became the 40th member of the Bucknell Bison to play in the NFL. He played the 2007 season with the Titans as a backup and totaled one tackle in five games before being released.

St. Louis Rams[link]

Conover was signed to the St. Louis Rams' practice squad on November 28, 2009. He was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2010.

External links[link]

• Bucknell Bison bio
• NFL players from Bucknell
• Detroit Lions bio
• St. Louis Rams bio
• Tennessee Titans bio

Steve Caballero
Born	(1964-11-08) November 8, 1964 (age 47)
Occupation	Skateboarder
Height	5'3"
Religion	Christian
Website
steviecaballero.blogspot.com

Steve Caballero (born November 8, 1964, San Jose, California) is a professional skateboarder and musician. Steve was born in the year of the dragon, and has had several board graphics that feature dragons. He was born with scoliosis.

Life and career[link]

Caballero started skating in 1976 at the age of 12. He was sponsored as an amateur by Powell Peralta in 1978 at the age of 15. He turned pro in 1980 at the Oasis Skatepark, Southern California during the Gold Cup series. He is a member of the Bones Brigade, and has appeared in many of their videos, including The Search For Animal Chin. His current sponsors include Powell Peralta Skateboards, Bones Bearings, Independent Truck Company, Autobahn Wheels, Vans Skate Shoes, Skull Candy headphones, Ohana Boardshop and Protec Helmets. His past sponsors included Tracker Trucks, Standard Trucks and Bones Wheels. Caballero has been featured on the cover of Thrasher Magazine and several other publications. Steve was also a character in four of the Tony Hawk games, from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 to Tony Hawk's Underground.

He invented the Caballerial, around 1980, in the 10 ft. keyhole pool at Winchester Skatepark in Campbell, California. As well as the frontside rock n' roll slide (now more commonly referred to as a frontside board slide).^[1]

He has been a member of several punk bands including The Faction, Odd Man Out, Shovelhead, and Soda, and released a compilation CD of the various bands he has appeared in titled Bandology through Sessions Records. He also paints, collects toys, rides motocross, and is a hot rod enthusiast. Caballero is divorced from his first wife Susan, with whom he had a daughter, Kayla Leslie. Caballero remarried on July 15, 2006 to a woman named Rachael and they have a son together, Caleb Bela. He was brought up as a Catholic, studied Zen/Taoism for 6 years, and in 2005 returned to a non-denominational Christian church.

Abridged contest history[link]

• 2nd in 1979 Winchester Open (San Jose).
• 1st in 1983 Upland Pro-Am (California): pro pool.
• 1st in 1988 Titus World Cup (Germany): streetstyle.
• 1st in 1989 NSA Contest (Hawaii): mini ramp.

References[link]

1. ^ http://steviecaballero.blogspot.com/2010/05/30-frontside-boardsliding-years-ago.html

• Brooke, Michael (1999). Concrete Wave: The History Of Skateboarding. ISBN 1-894020-54-5.

External links[link]

• Official Steve Caballero Blog
• Steve Caballero Myspace page

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Michael Capaldi (born March 27, 1990 in Simi Valley, California), also known as Mike Mo Capaldi, is a professional skateboarder. He is currently sponsored by Girl Skateboards, DC Shoes, Matix Clothing, Royal Trucks, Spitfire wheels, Mob Griptape, Bones Bearings, Skatelab and MUCHOPASSION SERIES. Mike Mo was a part of the Lakai team, but has recently left. His stance is regular. He is known for his ability in flatground skateboarding. After breaking his wrist skating a handrail, Capaldi stopped skating rails, and focused on his flatground skating. He resides in Simi Valley, CA. Capaldi attended Royal High School.

He has had one pro model shoe on Lakai, and won first place in Battle at the Berrics, after beating Benny Fairfax in a flatground game of S.K.A.T.E.

He has also been featured on Fuel TV's "New Pollution".

His brother, Vince Capaldi, who Mike Mo has described as his best friend, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, but has since recovered and is skating again.

He and his brother, Vince, are also co-owners and founders of Glassy Sunglasses.

Videography [link]

• 2005: Forecast (Paul Rodriguez)
• 2006: Badass Meets Dumbass (Girl Skateboards)
• 2007: Fully Flared (Lakai Footwear)
• 2009: The Final Flare (Lakai Footwear)
• 2012: Pretty Sweet (Girl Skateboards)

References[link]

• http://www.thrashermagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2058&Itemid=38
• http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000013901/features/check-out-mike-mo-capaldi/
• http://www.theberrics.com/dailyopspost.php?postid=769
• http://www.fuel.tv/Firsthand/videos/view/15289
• http://www.eightequalsd.com
• http://www.crailtap.com
• http://www.skateparkoftampa.com/spot/sk.aspx?ID=1886