Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tony Hawk
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tony Hawk made an impact.
Tony Hawk, nicknamed Birdman, is a highly influential American professional skateboarder and entrepreneur. He's a pioneer in vertical skateboarding and the first to land a documented "900." Hawk owns the skateboard company Birdhouse and licensed the popular Tony Hawk's skateboarding video game series with Activision in 1999. Retiring from professional competition in 2003, Hawk is regarded as one of skateboarding's greatest and most influential figures.
2002: Tony Hawk Foundation Creation
In 2002, Tony Hawk established the Tony Hawk Foundation due to a lack of safe skateparks in America.
2007: Athletes for Hope Founding
In 2007, Tony Hawk and other athletes founded Athletes for Hope to inspire volunteerism and community support through the actions of professional athletes.
2015: Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award
In 2015, the Tony Hawk Foundation received the Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award for its contributions to building a culture of health in communities through sports.
June 2018: Tony Hawk Foundation Milestone
As of June 2018, the Tony Hawk Foundation had awarded US$5.8 million, supporting 596 skatepark projects.
2020: The Skatepark Project Name Change
In 2020, the Tony Hawk Foundation was renamed to The Skatepark Project to better reflect the organization's mission.
2023: Auction for Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund
In 2023, Tony Hawk auctioned a signed photograph with Rick Thorne, donating 50% of the proceeds to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, which will help build a skate park in Nichols' honor.
