SOTY observations over the years

[bradtheraddad]

Has anyone ever broken down SOTY sponsors at the time they won SOTY? I was curious so I took a stab at it. I'm not saying this is 100% accurate, but, I think it's fairly close. Let me know if there are any glaring mistakes/omissions, just thought some of these observations were interesting.

Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year winners 1990 - 2020
SOTY details breakdown below is meant to reflect details at time of winning SOTY.

Initial Observations
- 29 unique SOTYs over 31 years (Danny Way and Chris Cole won twice over the 31 years).
- 26 out of 32 winners rode for trucks poured at Ermico Foundry* in San Francisco, distributed heavily and solely (at one point) by       
   DLX at time of winning SOTY.
- 19 out of 31 winners rode for Spitfire Wheels, a DLX wheel brand at time of winning SOTY.
- 22 SOTYs were born in the USA
- Avg. age of SOTY at time of winning is 23 with Danny Way being the youngest (17) and AVE being the eldest (37) SOTY recipient.
- Since I was already gathering the age of SOTY, I have an excel script that will also show me the zodiac sign, just did this for fun,     
   maybe Puleo can do something with this info lol. FWIW, there is a tie of 5 Scorpios and 5 Sagittarius SOTYs and 0 Leo SOTYs   
   (with the exception of Leo Romero).


SOTY winners are listed below by year, name, country of origin, age, zodiac sign, sponsors & Thrasher Magazine Editorat time of SOTY/b]

———————————— Kevin Thatcher ♎ era ————————————
   • 1990: Tony Hawk - USA - 22 ♉ - Powell, Tracker Trucks, Airwalk Shoes - Announced: February 1992 issue**
   • 1991: Danny Way  - USA - 17 ♈ - Blind, Independent Trucks, Speed Wheels - Announced: February 1992 issue**
   • 1992: John Cardiel - USA - 19 ♐ - Black Label, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels - Announced: April 1993 issue

———————————— Jake Phelps ♎ era ————————————
   • 1993: Salman Agah - USA - 21 ♋ - Real, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans Shoes - Announced: February 1994 issue
   • 1994: Mike Carroll - USA - 19 ♍ - Girl, Venture Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans Shoes - Announced: March 1995 issue
   • 1995: Chris Senn - USA - 23 ♐ - Adrenaline, Venture Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Emerica Shoes - Announced: March 1996 issue
   • 1996: Eric Koston - THA - 21 ♉ - Girl, Orion Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, ‘eS Shoes - Announced: March 1997 issue
   • 1997: Bob Burnquist - BRA - 21 ♎ - Anti-Hero, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, ‘eS Shoes - Announced: April 1998 issue
   • 1998: Andrew Reynolds - USA - 20 ♋ - Birdhouse, Independent Trucks, Emerica Shoes - Announced: April 1999 issue
   • 1999: Brian Anderson - USA - 23 ♊ - Toy Machine, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Axion Shoes - Announced: April 2000 issue
   • 2000: Geoff Rowley - ENG - 24 ♋ - Flip, Fury Trucks, Ricta Wheels, Vans Shoes - Announced: April 2001 issue
   • 2001: Arto Saari - FIN - 20 ♐ - Flip, Fury Trucks, Ricta Wheels, ‘eS Shoes - Announced: 12/10/2001
   • 2002: Tony Trujillo - USA - 20 ♍ - Anti-Hero, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans Shoes, Fourstar Clothing - Announced: 12/07/2002
   • 2003: Mark Appleyard - CAN - 21 ♏ - Flip, Thunder Trucks, Ricta Wheels, Circa Shoes - Announced: 12/20/2003
   • 2004: Danny Way - USA - 30 ♈ - Alien Workshop, Independent Trucks, Bones Wheels, DC shoes, Bones bearings  - 2x winner - Announced: 12/18/2004
   • 2005: Chris Cole - USA - 23 ♓ - Zero, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Fallen Shoes - Announced: 12/16/2005
   • 2006: Daewon Song - KOR - 31 ♓ - Almost, Tensor Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, DVS shoes, Andale Bearings - Announced: 12/15/2006
   • 2007: Marc Johnson - USA - 30 ♒ - Chocolate, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Lakai Shoes - Announced: 01/18/2008
   • 2008: Silas Baxter-Neal - USA - 25 ♏ - Habitat, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Adidas Shoes - Announced: 12/15/2008
   • 2009: Chris Cole - USA - 27 ♓ - Zero, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Fallen Shoes, Bones Bearings - 2x winner - Announced: 12/06/2009
   • 2010: Leo Romero - USA - 24 ♐ - Toy Machine, Independent Trucks, Pig Wheels, Emerica Shoes, Bronson Speed Co., - Announced: 11/24/2010
   • 2011: Grant Taylor - USA - 20 ♏ - Alien Workshop, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Nike SB, Volcom, Stratosphere, Modus - Announced: 11/23/2011
   • 2012: David González - COL - 22 ♍ - Flip Skateboards, Independent Trucks, Ricta Wheels, Globe Shoes, Rockstar Energy, Mob, Onboard Shop - Announced: 12/05/2012
   • 2013: Ishod Wair - USA - 22 ♏ - Real, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Nike SB, Bronson Speed Co. - Announced: 12/09/2013
   • 2014: Wes Kremer - USA - 25 ♐ - SK8Mafia, Royal Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, DC Shoes, DC Apparel,, Paradox Grip - Announced: 12/14/2014
   • 2015: Anthony Van Engelen - USA - 37 ♏ - Fucking Awesome, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans Shoes, Vans Apparel - Announced: 12/08/2015
   • 2016: Kyle Walker - USA - 22 ♑ - Real, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans Shoes, Volcom, Happy Hour, Shake Junt - Announced: 12/05/2016
   • 2017: Jamie Foy - USA - 21 ♊ - Deathwish, Spitfire Wheels, Thunder Trucks, Diamond Footwear, Shake Junt, Bronson, Red Bull - Announced: 12/07/2017
   • 2018: Tyshawn Jones - USA - 20 ♑ - Fucking Awesome, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Adidas Shoes, Supreme, Hardies Hardware, New Era - Announced: 12/15/2018


———————————— Michael Burnett ♍ era ————————————
   • 2019: Milton Martinez - ARG - 28 ♈ - Creature, Independent Trucks, OJ Wheels, Converse Shoes, Bronson - Announced: 12/06/2019
   • 2020: Mason Silva - USA - 24 ♎ - Real, Spitfire Wheels, Independent Trucks, Nike SB, HUF, MOB, Bronson - Announced: 12/16/2020
   • 2021: Mark Suciu - USA - 29 - ♌️ - Adidas, Habitat, Spitfire Wheels, Thunder Trucks, RVCA, Jessup, Atlas Skateshop - Announced: 12/08/2021


SOTY Sponsor Breakdown

Trucks
- 14 winners rode for Independent at time of winning SOTY
- 10 winners rode for Thunder at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Venture at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Fury Trucks at time of winning SOTY
- 1 winner rode for Tracker at time of winning SOTY
- 1 winner rode for Orion at time of winning SOTY
- 1 winner rode for Royal at time of winning SOTY

Wheels
- 22 winners rode for Spitfire wheels at time of winning SOTY
- 4 winners rode for Ricta at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for NHS wheels  (Santa Cruz Speed Wheels & OJ) at time of winning SOTY
- 1 winner rode for Bones wheels at time of winning SOTY
- 1 winner rode for Pig wheels at time of winning SOTY

Boards
- 4 winners rode for Real at time of winning SOTY
- 4 winners rode for Flip at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Anti-Hero at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Toy Machine at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Girl at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Fucking Awesome at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Alien Workshop at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for Habitat at time of winning SOTY
- Zero Skateboards was represented twice with Chris Coles winning in 2005 & 2009.

- The other winners included 1 winner riding for the following brands: Adrenalin, Almost, Blind, Black Label, Birdhouse, Chocolate, Creature, Deathwish, Plan B, Powell, and Sk8 Mafia at time of winning SOTY.


Shoes
- 6 winners rode for Vans at time of winning SOTY
- 3 winners rode for ‘eS at time of winning SOTY
- 3 winners rode for Emerica at time of winning SOTY
- 3 winners rode for NikeSB at time of winning SOTY
- 3 winners rode for Adidas at time of winning SOTY
- 2 winners rode for DC Shoes at time of winning SOTY

- The other winners included 1 winner riding for the following brands: Airwalk, Axion, Circa, Converse, Diamond Footwear, DVS, Fallen, Globe, and Lakai at time of winning SOTY.
*Danny Way & Cardiel wore Vans all through their winning year but were never officially sponsored by Vans Vans finally sponsored Cardiel in 1996. https://www.vans.com/team/skate/john-cardiel.html

Much thanks to the following resources for information, fact checking and inspiration: The Chromeball Incident, Vert Is Dead, Boil The Ocean, SurferToday, #skatetwitter & all of the Slap pals!

A very special thanks to the Thrasher editors over the years, here are a few special issues of note honoring the previous editors:
• Kevin Thatcher - https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/talking-ed-kevin-thatcher-interview/
• Jake Phelps - https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/jake-phelps-lifetime-retrospective/
• Michael Burnett - https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/trash/burndog-interview/



* Independent was made in USA at Ermico Foundry until 2017 at which point they moved the mold & die to China. The trucks are assembled in the USA. It is believed that Thunder and Venture appear to still be made at Ermico Foundry.

** Barely mentioned in the mag despite the cover copy for Skater Of The Year. Both SOTY recipients were mentioned in the Trash section and it was mentioned that the winners were chosen via “Reader’s Poll”.

[ndsr]

Appleyard was on circa when he won, I worked for Globe in 2004 when he got on. Circa 1, Globe 1

[cucktard]

Same with Brian Anderson, his current sponsor is AntiHero, but he wasn’t riding for them when he won. The sponsor list needs to be revised to the actual time of winning.

[Mean salto]

Real good effort. Interesting.
I think Rowley and arto were on fury when they won.
Ba possibly on ricta
TNT not on fourstar yet. Maybe 1984
Silas possibly still on es?

[bradtheraddad]

Appleyard was on circa when he won, I worked for Globe in 2004 when he got on. Circa 1, Globe 1

Ah, ok, thank you so much, the sponsor list has been updated!

[bradtheraddad]

Same with Brian Anderson, his current sponsor is AntiHero, but he wasn’t riding for them when he won. The sponsor list needs to be revised to the actual time of winning.

Gah, you're absolutely right and I had just about every BA TM board! Thank you!

[bradtheraddad]

Real good effort. Interesting.
I think Rowley and arto were on fury when they won.
Ba possibly on ricta
TNT not on fourstar yet. Maybe 1984
Silas possibly still on es?

Yeah, you're probably right about all of those, I'm putting in more research now through old issues at the time, thank you!

[Lenny the Fatface]

Grant Taylor was on Alien when he won,
Cole was still on Zero (he had that shared part with Tom Asta that year)
I think Martinez won after Phelps passed away.

And are you sure Carroll wasn’t on Venture?

[Taraval]

I remember an article a couple years ago that at its peak Fourstar had the most SOTYs per team (excluding trucks wheels and brands of the sort)

Ishod
Tnt
BA
Carrol
Koston
Reynolds *short stint*
Honorary Mark Gonzalez

[biggietoms]

silas was def on adidas when he won

very awesome list none the less. flip era sotys got me in my feelings

[Alan]

And are you sure Carroll wasn’t on Venture?

Correct

[bradtheraddad]

Grant Taylor was on Alien when he won,
Cole was still on Zero (he had that shared part with Tom Asta that year)
I think Martinez won after Phelps passed away.

And are you sure Carroll wasn’t on Venture?

Thank you, you rock, I fixed ‘em!

[ndsr]

Expand Quote

Appleyard was on circa when he won, I worked for Globe in 2004 when he got on. Circa 1, Globe 1

[close]

Ah, ok, thank you so much, the sponsor list has been updated!

No thank you, I enjoy the info.  Have a gnar!

[snowballz]

Cardiel wasn't on Vans at the time. Not sure his shoe sponsor, maybe Emerica? Only been on Vans since 96

https://www.vans.com/team/skate/john-cardiel.html

Also, Danny was on Alien when he won his second time.

[Genericwhitemale]

Skaters who won SOTY had or eventually got a pro model shoe except Ishod, Taylor, and Mason.
Danny Way was the youngest at 17/18, AVE was the oldest at 37

[bob george]

Skaters who won SOTY had or eventually got a pro model shoe except Ishod, Taylor, and Mason.
Danny Way was the youngest at 17/18, AVE was the oldest at 37

Ishod has a shoe coming.

Andale bearings didn't exist in 2006 re: Daewon.

[Mean salto]

Expand Quote

Skaters who won SOTY had or eventually got a pro model shoe except Ishod, Taylor, and Mason.
Danny Way was the youngest at 17/18, AVE was the oldest at 37

[close]

Ishod has a shoe coming.

Andale bearings didn't exist in 2006 re: Daewon.

Ishod and grant Taylor had a pro shoe on Nike. Ishod was a thinned out dunk. Came out with coreys court shoe and grants blazer

[too fakie]

Silas was still on éS when he won, no?

[DannyDee]

Silas was still on éS when he won, no?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure TJ is the first Adidas rider to win it.

[disappointed]

Big effort/project, interesting read, cheers! I’m pretty sure...

- Salman quit Indy before winning SOTY (chromeball interview).
- Geoff and Arto def on Fury.
- Koston wasn’t on Indy in 1996.
- Reynolds wasn’t on Spitfire in 1998 (Birdhouse Wheels).
- Senn was on Venture in 1995.
- Wes was still on Royal in 2014 (though probably skating Indys)

[Lenny the Fatface]

Expand Quote

Silas was still on éS when he won, no?

[close]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure TJ is the first Adidas rider to win it.

He’s definitely wearing adidas on his SOTY cover.

Edit- he joined adidas September 2008

https://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/silas-baxter-neal-rides-adidas/

[Mean salto]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Silas was still on éS when he won, no?

[close]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure TJ is the first Adidas rider to win it.

[close]

He’s definitely wearing adidas on his SOTY cover.

Uh oh possible horrible grey area. Is it about what sponsors they had when they got the trophy or what they wore that year. I think Silas got it from things related to his inhabitants and especial parts which I thought was all es.
I think also Indy picks people up as soon as or just before they win soty

[what is wrong with you]

danny was still on alien in 2004, plan b didn't come back until 2005

[Lame_Nigga]

Chris Cole was still on Fallen for his second win. If I looked hard enough I could probably still find his SOTY poster for that year.

[CrappyChan]

Lots of data but yeah needs revisions. You forgot to add Milton's board sponsor. I dont think sponsors really matter for soty unless you ride for braille and wave wheels or whatever. Funny to see the kook sponsors some guys had. Cant believe pig wheels still exists and that any soty rode bones

[Vds]

 Jake said lots of times. Wins whoever they want, no whoever actually deserves

[biaherl]

Can we combine the 6 or 7 SOTY threads with the 2021 Unpopular Opinion Thread please

[rusty knees]

- 21 out of 31 winners rode for Spitfire Wheels, a DLX wheel brand at time of winning SOTY -

I just watched suciu and yutos parts again and was wondering this very thing. came here and saw this thread, most informative thanks.

[AnotherOldSkater]

I could be wrong, but don't think Chris Senn was on Toy Machine in '95. Pretty sure he joined after Jamie left... Think he was on Adrenaline or some other Bay Area company. Also wasn't on the cover of the SOTY issue!

[fongool]

Cardiel wasn't on Vans at the time. Not sure his shoe sponsor, maybe Emerica? Only been on Vans since 96

https://www.vans.com/team/skate/john-cardiel.html

all his footage during that era is in Vans but maybe he wasn't officially on the team

Emerica didn't exist yet so he def wasn't on that


Senn was for sure on Adrenalin