On May 18, 2011at the 13th Annual Transworld Skateboarding Awards in Hollywood, the magazine will present the inaugural Eric Stricker Memorial Award to Miki Vuckuvich.
The award, which honors “individuals in the skateboarding industry that have shown a continued dedication to the positive growth, longevity, and love of skateboarding,” couldn’t have a more appropriate first recipient. Here’s a little of Miki’s background.
Miki was born and raised in San Jose, California, and a local skater at the Winchester Skatepark. When Winchester closed its doors in July of 1981, Miki persuaded his mom into moving to Del Mar, California, where the Skate Ranch was conveniently located. It was around this time Miki started shooting every photo class assignment at the Ranch with high school friend Tony Hawk. In ’82, Miki became the first-ever subscriber to TransWorld SKATEboarding, saving up 13 dollars of his allowance money. Miki then became a regular contributor to the pages of TransWorld SKATEboarding through the ’80s and ’90s. An accomplished photographer and writer, Miki traveled through Europe and Russia while still shooting extensively all through California. He then went on to become full-time editor of TransWorld Skate Business, director at On Video, and is now executive director at The Tony Hawk Foundation.
Congrats, Miki, and thanks. Follow the jump for more details. [click to continue…]
It is difficult to believe that it was only a year ago that news began getting out that Transworld Skateboarding Editor Eric Stricker had died. Guess when you miss someone it seems like they’ve been gone so much longer than they actually have.
We didn’t hang out with Eric, travel with him, or spend the kind of time that so many in the skate industry did, but every single time we saw him we left happier and more stoked on skateboarding than when we’d arrived. Whenever we had a stupid skateboarding history question or a “what’s the story behind this guy” query, Stricker always, no matter what deadline he was on, took a minute or ten to give the answer or tell the story. It was almost as if he wasn’t doing it for us, he was doing it for skateboarding. He wanted to make sure the stories all got out correctly. Which is what made him such a great magazine editor.
Today our thoughts are with everyone who had the gift or being close to Eric. Especially his family.
It was with sadness that several hundred members of the skateboarding world gathered today (Saturday, November 14, 2009) in the parking lot behind Transworld Media’s Carlsbad, California offices to remember the life of Transworld Skateboarding editor Eric Stricker.
The crowd, made up of ams, pros, co-workers and industry titans, hung out, skated, and drank Coors Light. It seemed everyone was there. While talking with friends we kept thinking we saw Eric in the crowd. We’d catch a glimpse of a jersey, some crisp 501s, and a New Era and think it was Eric. And then it hit us all over again. Eric is gone. He should have been there and would have if he was still here. But he’s not.
In a short statement Eric’s widow Arnette said that she would have enjoyed seeing Eric’s smile on the way home from today’s gathering because it was exactly the kind of thing that he loved: a huge group of friends getting together to hangout and skateboard.
In his memory the crowd raised Coors Lights and sang along to Eric’s favorite song, Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Eric was 31 years old. He left too early and took way too much with him.
We’ll have limited-edition memorial T-shirts from TransWorld and The Hundreds, and hats from New Era for sale—so bring some cash! The proceeds of which will aid in Eric’s family’s airfare to come out for this event, and his wife’s unexpected expenses during this time of loss. Feel free to bring drinks of your choice, as our supply of Silver Bullets won’t likely last all day.
A Memorial fund has been set up to assist the family click here to make a donation.
Eric Stricker, the Editor of Transworld Skateboarding has passed away. He was a good friend, a great editor, and a fighter.R.I.P.-skin
Eric Stricker (pictured left with Transworld’s Blair Alley on September 10, 2009) was one of the best skate minds in the business. He was cool, kind, and always happy to share his deep, deep knowledge of not only skateboarding but culture in general. He will be greatly missed.
Last night the skate world gathered at The Theatre At Ace Hotel in Los Angeles for the 17th Annual TransWorld Skateboarding Awards. Hosts Brian Schaefer and Lee Dupont, along with a cast of legendary skateboarding presenters, handed out the trophies in front of a packed house last night at The Theatre At Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. We’ll give you a hint: the Thrasher SOTY won the Readers’ Choice. For the for the rest of the results, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
We have an brand new old Johnny Layton deck in our closet. Not gripped. Not mounted. Not nothing. Eric Stricker gave it to us when he really didn’t have to give us anything. And that was cool. Every time we see the board we’re reminded of that. And maybe that’s why we leave that deck right where it is. New, yet old.
For those who didn’t make it to the streets of Hollywood last night for the 13th Annual Transworld Skateboarding Awards the winners are as follows:
Eric Stricker Memorial Award- Miki Vuckovich
Best Rookie- Vincent Alvarez
Best Video Part – Andrew Reynolds, Stay Gold
Best Video- Stay Gold
Best Team- Toy Machine
Best Transition – Taylor Bingaman
Best Street – Torey Pudwill
Readers’ Choice – Dylan Rieder
TWS Legend- Steve Alba
Can’t say we have much reason to argue with many of the results. Click here for some red carpet interviews. [click to continue…]
On May 18, 2011at the 13th Annual Transworld Skateboarding Awards in Hollywood, the magazine will present the inaugural Eric Stricker Memorial Award to Miki Vuckuvich. 
