Skateboarding Hall of Fame Presents Bennett Custom Awards

There is an extensive process to select the class of inductees each year. The IASC (International Association of Skateboard Companies) and ISHOF (International Skateboarding Hall of Fame) create a nominating committee of 25 industry veterans, media, and previous Hall-of-Famers. Nominations are then sent out to 300 industry veterans for a vote.

This year, the Hall of Fame inductees were: Danny Bearer, an original member of the Hobie team and the Men’s Winner of the 1964 National Championships; Jay Adams, an original Z-Boy and one of the most influential skateboarders of all time; Mark Gonzales, a pioneer of street skating in the late 80’s and early 90’s; and Peggy Oki, the only female Z-Boy on the hugely influential Zephyr Team.

This year, the Skateboard Hall of Fame also created a new category of awards: the Icon Awards. The Icon Awards recognize people other than professional skateboarders who have had a significant impact on the history of skateboarding. The inaugural recipients of the Icon Awards were: John Humphrey, the first licensee of a skateboard patent; Frank Nasworthy, who is credited with introducing polyurethane wheels to skateboarding; Glen E. Friedman, one of the most important photographers of his generation, and someone who helped chronicle the skateboarding culture; and Black Flag, who gave voice to a non-conformist message that resonated and inspired skateboarders in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

The 2012 Skateboarding Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held May 10, 2012 before a packed house at the Doubletree Hotel in Anaheim, California. These inductees join a long list of skateboarding legends that have been inducted in the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, including Tony Hawk, Tony Alva, Danny Way, Stacy Peralta, and Bob Burnquist.

As part of their induction, all of these inductees received custom achievement trophies created by Bennett Awards. This unique award design is based on a 3D representation of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame logo. The custom trophies feature a detailed sculpture of one end of a skateboard, including deck, truck and wheels. The skateboard sculpture sits on top of a block sculpture of the Hall of Fame logotype. These unique recognition awards are cast in pewter, and finish a combo brushed pewter and dark patina finish. The sculpture awards are mounted on black marble bases with customized engravings of the recipients’ names.