Tim Brauch
Encyclopedia
Timothy "Tim" Michael Brauch (April 26, 1974 – May 9, 1999) was an American
professional skateboarder who grew up in San Jose, California
. Brauch came up in skateboarding during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period of skateboarding when professionalism meant small paychecks and little fame outside skateboarding, but lots of travel, experiences, and good times with friends and like-minded skaters.
, followed by sponsorship by Vans, Independent, and New Deal, which led to his first video part, in the New Deal video Useless Wooden Toys. Not long thereafter, Tim made the switch to Santa Monica Airlines out of the local NHS stable, and his first pro model was on SMA, in 1992. Tim's association with Joel Gomez and Sessions continued, eventually leading to the establishment of the brand Este, a portmanteau for "S" and "T," representing Tim and his good friend and fellow San Jose professional Salman Agah. Tim helped design the Este line. In the mid 1990s, Tim made the switch from Vans to etnies
Footwear, although he remained close to Vans honcho Steve Van Doren throughout his life. When SMA closed its doors, Tim made the easy switch to Santa Cruz Skateboards, which was the company he rode for until he died.
on Sunday, May 9, 1999, Mother's Day, at the age of 25.
The Tim Brauch Memorial Fund is an independent scholarship fund and skateboard park development fund established in 1999. The fund was created to continue to keep giving back to the kids and the sport of skateboarding that Tim loved so much. By giving scholarships and donating skateboard park development this fund is promoting kids to get off the couch and be active outside. The vision is that through skateboarding kids develop discipline, confidence, motivation, and other traits that encourage success.
, Jackie Robinson
, Muhammad Ali
, and Lance Armstrong
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional skateboarder who grew up in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. Brauch came up in skateboarding during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period of skateboarding when professionalism meant small paychecks and little fame outside skateboarding, but lots of travel, experiences, and good times with friends and like-minded skaters.
Professional career
At age 15 Tim got sponsored by SessionsSessions
Sessions can refer to:* Quarter Sessions, a periodic court formerly held in counties of England and Wales* Petty Sessions, the lowest level of court in England and Wales* Sessions, an EP by Australian Reggae/Rocksteady band Rogerthat...
, followed by sponsorship by Vans, Independent, and New Deal, which led to his first video part, in the New Deal video Useless Wooden Toys. Not long thereafter, Tim made the switch to Santa Monica Airlines out of the local NHS stable, and his first pro model was on SMA, in 1992. Tim's association with Joel Gomez and Sessions continued, eventually leading to the establishment of the brand Este, a portmanteau for "S" and "T," representing Tim and his good friend and fellow San Jose professional Salman Agah. Tim helped design the Este line. In the mid 1990s, Tim made the switch from Vans to etnies
Etnies
thumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
Footwear, although he remained close to Vans honcho Steve Van Doren throughout his life. When SMA closed its doors, Tim made the easy switch to Santa Cruz Skateboards, which was the company he rode for until he died.
Contests
Although he had entered numerous contests throughout his amateur and professional career, Tim gained significant fame winning the Huntington Beach Vans Triple Crown Street Competition in 1998, which at the time was among the biggest contests in skateboarding. That year, Brauch was a World Cup skateboarder who was ranked No. 5 internationally.Death
Tim Brauch died of sudden cardiac arrestCardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
on Sunday, May 9, 1999, Mother's Day, at the age of 25.
Memorials
Each year in the fall family and friends gather at the Tim Brauch Memorial Skatepark in Scotts Valley, CA for the annual Tim Brauch Memorial Contest.The Tim Brauch Memorial Fund is an independent scholarship fund and skateboard park development fund established in 1999. The fund was created to continue to keep giving back to the kids and the sport of skateboarding that Tim loved so much. By giving scholarships and donating skateboard park development this fund is promoting kids to get off the couch and be active outside. The vision is that through skateboarding kids develop discipline, confidence, motivation, and other traits that encourage success.
Smithsonian Exhibition
Tim was featured in the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers which toured from October 2004 to December 2007 across the United States. The exhibit featured such athletes as Hank Aaron (baseball), Michael JordanMichael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
, and Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
.