Chasing the feeling: Tony Hawk rolls in from the halfpipe in the latest installation of the Kennedy Lecture Series

“That was my epiphany, that was the moment where I was like, ‘This is what I want to do and and I’m going to do everything I can to chase this as hard as I can.’” 

If 10-year-old Tony Hawk had been asked to list the top 10 goals he wanted to achieve before he died, he never would have mentioned being known as one of the greatest skaters of all time. Yet Hawk, a man whose main goal was always to do what he loved and hope the money would follow, has accomplished more than he ever thought possible. Aside from his successful skateboarding career, Hawk has also become the face of a renowned video game series, co-created the skateboard company Birdhouse Skateboards and authored a New York Times bestseller.

The doors to Ohio University’s Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium opened at 6:30 p.m. with the lecture set to begin at 7:30 p.m.. By 6:45 the auditorium was nearing capacity and filled with murmuring echoes as showtime drew near. Walking on stage to deafening applause, the legendary skater eased into his address with his trademark laid-back charm and self-deprecating humor. Hawk’s appearance marked the latest installment of the Kennedy Lecture Series at Ohio U, events meant to bring together the student body to discuss important issues and themes in the speaker’s life. 

Hawk’s main takeaway: do what you love and love what you do and with any luck the rest will follow. With every achievement he mentioned, he was sure not to forget every failure; broken bones, lost jobs, a multitude of concussions, burnout, imposter syndrome and more.

Although the road to success was not always smooth, Hawk’s never-ending love for skateboarding carried him through life from the tender age of 10 when he first set foot on a skateboard. After that first day (which ended in many splinters after a run-in with a fence), Hawk was hooked, eventually quitting all other sports he played to spend every free minute at the skatepark. 

Before he knew it, Oasis Skatepark in San Diego, California, became a second home to him.

“There was camaraderie among people who are supposed to be competing with each other, and I just felt like… I want to be part of this.” 

From that point on, he was off to the races and began entering skating competitions as an amateur, but took care to emphasize that he hit plenty of stumbling blocks along the way to fame, recalling his first competition where he placed second to last in his division. 

Thanks to endless dedication and countless hours at the skatepark, Hawk improved rapidly, soon getting recognized for his “circus tricks.” After turning professional at 14, his career skyrocketed. This led to the esteemed legacy he is known for today, including “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video games, his 73 titles and being widely regarded as the best vert skater from 1984 to 1986. 

However, Hawk shared how his passion for skateboarding extended far past the half-pipe. In 2002, Hawk founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, now known as the Skatepark Project. The non-profit organization has built skateparks in areas in need both nationally and internationally for all to have access to a free, safe place to skate. To Hawk, he wants anyone who has shared his love of skateboarding to be able to pursue it, and is willing to help in any way he can. 

With passion that only comes from someone who truly loves their line of work, Hawk urged his audience to chase their dreams, no matter how crazy or out-of-reach they seem. 

“Whatever it is, find your passion. If you are able to do it for a living, even if it’s not the most financially viable option or successful option. You will feel successful because you love what you do.”