Spring Break
Skateboarding clubs seeks to build reputation
Akela Yarn
Issue date: 11/4/08 Section: Features
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Recently approved as an official student organization, the ECU Skateboarding Club is designed to give skateboarders the change to share their passion with like-minded students.
"This club is like a civil rights movement for us," said President Courtney Wilson, whose vision is to strengthen the population of skateboarders and to change society's negative connotation of the sport.
The club is more geared toward experienced skateboarders rather than beginners interested in learning the basics of skateboarding.
According to Mark Macchioni, a team rider and employee of Fusion Skate Park, there are two types of skateboarders at ECU: those who skateboard as a hobby and those who use a skateboard for transportation purposes, with the latter being the most prevalent.
Wilson says that the response has been positive so far, with close to 40 people interested in becoming members.
While the club seeks to obtain respect from law enforcement and the community, its authority does not span far. Even now, in the club's beginning stages, university and city ordinances already threaten the club's sustainability.
According to rules instated by ECU, "Skateboarding on steps, landscaping planters, picnic tables and other university property causes damage and therefore is prohibited. Should a skateboarder be caught in violation of this policy, a university police officer has a number of available options, including a verbal warning, a uniform state citation, a Campus Appearance Ticket (CAT), or the student may be banned from all ECU property."
For Wilson and the rest of the skateboarding club, the first order of business will be to challenge this rule.
"Throwing a football or baseball in between people is more dangerous than skating," Wilson said. "Baseballs and footballs can do more [property] damage and physical harm than a skateboard can."
The club also seeks to eliminate the angry and rebellious youth stereotype that many associate with skateboarders, and intends to advocate a positive view of skateboarding. According to club members, skateboarding motivates students to stay off the streets and out of trouble.
"Skateboarding changes your life. It changes who you hang with, changes how you think about people and changes what type of music you listen to," Macchioni said. "We are not rebellious, crazy drop outs; everyone is different, we are people and students too. We just love to skate."
Aside from the obstacles, Wilson envisions a positive legacy for the organization.
"When I'm gone I don't want the purpose of the group to change and the fad makes it easy for the vision to get lost."
An official meeting date and time has not been set, but interested students can look out for banners, posters and a planned Facebook group.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Cory Buie
posted 11/04/08 @ 4:42 PM EST
For Wilson and the rest of the skateboarding club, the first order of business will be to challenge this rule.
"Throwing a football or baseball in between people is more dangerous than skating," Wilson said. (Continued…)
Anthony Sanders
posted 11/05/08 @ 10:45 AM EST
Mr. Wilson,
If throwing football or baseball were so much more dangerous, don't you think there would be rules banning those activities on campus. Basic skate boarding is not damaging to campus. (Continued…)
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