Skateboarding Legend Tony Hawk Coming To SFA

I found out recently that one of the best humans to ever grace a board is giving a lecture at SFA. I personally would love to hear what he has to say about business, and professional skateboarding during it's peak. Tony Hawk has taken his success on the board, into the board room, and will be offering some invaluable insight into making your business out of your passion.

16 years old, he was the best skateboarder in the world to me. I was just a kid, and here was a kid out there killing it. I know I watched the movie Thrashin' more than once. He was the star of tons of direct to video skateboard videos. I know I rented quite a few back when I was interested in the sport. He was in the Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol, and played "skateboarder". I know I watched and rewound it to see him.

So I would love to meet him, or at least hear him speak. You can even ask him a few questions. Just don't waste his time asking about the 80's skate scene. He is a serious business man. I would love to hear how he took his brand to the top.

A fervent entrepreneur, Hawk will serve as the guest speaker in the second installment of Stephen F. Austin State University's Rusche College of Business Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 29 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom on the university's campus.

The lecture series was created in 2016 to honor A. Nelson Rusche, who endowed the college with a $5 million gift to provide scholarships to students majoring in business and to support other programs.

Through a question-and-answer format, Hawk will discuss his passion, entrepreneurship and the importance of giving back.

"The opportunity to have Tony Hawk as our speaker at the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series will provide an especially engaging and informative opportunity for our students," said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business.

"One of the many benefits of the freedoms we enjoy is that we have the ability to both pursue our passions and utilize our successes as we choose. In many ways, Mr. Hawk has chosen to use his success to help others," Bisping said. "Many of our students will soon graduate and enjoy great successes of their own, and I hope this example set by Mr. Hawk is one the students will always remember."

- www.sfasu.edu
The Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series is free and open to the public. A private reception will be held prior to the lecture at 6 p.m. To purchase reception tickets, contact SFA's Office of Development at (936) 468-5406, or email April Smith, associate director of development, at alsmith@sfasu.edu. Reception tickets cost $150.