Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert: Skateboarding legend hosts free event at U of U

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Even if you’ve never ridden a skateboard in your life, chances are you’ve heard of the legend that is Tony Hawk. The great one of skateboarding is hosting a free event at the University of Utah, and finals are today, July 19.

The two-day event, which began Friday, July 18, celebrates 25 years of The State of Sport — the Utah Sports Commission’s mission to make Utah a global hub for sport and entertainment. The commission has reportedly put on 1,100 sporting events, making a $4 billion economic impact on the state.

One of those events, Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert, brings some of the world’s best skaters together to compete at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center. This year’s edition hosts many top vert skaters, along with some old school legends of the sport, to compete on Hawk’s very own HuckJam Ramp.

“Fans can expect high-flying tricks, a legends demo, and an epic, free-to-the-public experience celebrating skateboarding’s past, present, and future,” a press release states.

Last year’s winners reportedly include Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Arisa Trew and 2024 vert world champion Gui Khury. The event has become a centerpiece of the Hawk’s skate legacy. The first Vert Alert was held in Aug. 2021, paired with a stop on the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Championship Tour and a ribbon-cutting for the expanded Vans Utah Sports Commission Skatepark.

The new stop added a permanent street course next to the bowl park built in 2019.

“Skateboarding has deep roots in Utah, and events like Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert build on a long tradition of welcoming action sports at the highest level,” said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. “This is the second year it’s being held on the University of Utah campus, a premier sport and entertainment venue that continues to attract world-class events.”

“I’m excited to bring our iconic vert event back to the University of Utah next weekend,” said Tony Hawk. “The previous four years were hugely successful and we’re proud to be back with the best ramp skaters in the world for a free, two-day vert showcase. Come join us!”

The Jon M. Huntsman Center is located at 1825 S Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 on the University of Utah campus. Saturday’s schedule is as follows:

• 2 p.m. – Doors Open
• 2:15pm – 3 p.m.: Women’s Finals Practice
• 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Women’s Finals
• 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.: Men’s Finals Practice
• 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.: Men’s Finals
• 4:50 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.: Women’s Best Trick
• 5:10 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Men’s Best Trick
• 5:30 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.: Awards

For more information on the event, visit their website here. You can watch footage of last year’s finals here.