Tony Hawk

 Anthony Frank Hawk, also called Birdman was born on May 12th in 1968. Hawk is an American professional skateboarder and businessman. Hawk was the first to pioneer contemporary vertical skateboarding. Hawk completed his first "900" skateboarding trick that was documented in 1999. Activision also released the skateboarding videogame which Hawk licensed. In 2003, Hawk retired from competitive skateboarding. He is now considered as one of the most influential skateboarders of all time. Hawk also established the Tony Hawk Foundation, which is now known as The Skatepark Project. This foundation assists in the construction of skateparks in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Hawk was so angry over his father's baseball game that he escaped into the ravine. The anger he felt at himself was so intense that his parents compelled him to undergo a psychological assessment by the school. Tony was identified as gifted by the school counselors. The test showed an IQ score of 144. Between 1980 and the year 1981, Hawk attended Jean Farb Middle School. Then, he returned to Homecoming together with Rick Reilly where he set up a ramp to show skating demonstrations. Since it provided a outlet to release his energy, his parents encouraged his passion for skating. Hawk's abilities developed and he was able to be a professional skateboarder at the age of fourteen. For the past 12 years, Hawk was the world's National Skateboard Association champion.