Colin Commito says it was perseverance in his sport and his music that gave him the mindset for law school.
Now the second-year student at The John Marshall Law School wants to help others learn from his example. Commito, who met with success in fundraising for and designing a skate park in San Bernadino, Calif., is preparing a plan that will hopefully accomplish the same goal of giving kids a safe place to gather, have fun, compete, socialize and raise skateboarding’s profile among Chicago youth.
Commito intends to use his connections and knowledge to help the Chicago Park District develop summertime competitions at three of the city’s skate parks—Wilson Skateboard Park, Burnham Skateboard Park and Logan Skateboard Park—and he would lead skateboard clinics for beginner and intermediate skaters. He plans work with Boys Town Chicago or The Chicago Boys and Girls Club to back his ideas so that he can get major skateboard industry support for the program.
To some, this would seem like a daunting task, but the 26-year-old California native is sure he’s on to something.
“Skateboarding is a sport without rules, and it typically is misunderstood by society. Communities have banned skateboarding and police will ticket kids who skateboard through town. That’s what makes it the sport of choice for at-risk youth, those kids who don’t want to follow the rules,” Commito said.
“Skateboarding is a great alternative to drugs, crime and gang membership,” he believes. “Conditions within the community inevitably improve when kids are engaged in skateboarding. They have a focus, a stimulus that keeps them busy at a physical activity. And the other great thing is that skateboarders all get along. There really aren’t differences among those in the skateboarding community.”
Although his background as a classically-trained pianist doesn’t give a hint of a skateboarder’s rebellious streak, Commito said he took to the sport at age 12.
“It allowed me to be creative in a way that was so different from my piano work. Skateboarding allowed me to do what I wanted on the board. There are no rigid rules for your tricks. You can create what you want. It’s my love, my passion. I’m still skateboarding” although Chicago’s seasonal changes limit his time outdoors.
With more than 40 competition awards from the California Amateur Skateboard League, Commito came to the attention of various skateboard companies. After graduating from the University of Redlands, he turned pro and skated professionally for several years. He earned product endorsements from Toy Machine Skateboards, Dekline Shoes and Autobahn Wheel Company, and others.
Commito recognizes that skateboarding, as with all sports, is open to younger competitors. Although Commito knows and can speak the language of the skateboarding world, he says a law degree will give him the knowledge to help future skaters coming into the sporting arena. He plans to earn a joint JD/LLM degree in International Trade Law so that he has the legal skills to help companies and skaters make wise decisions in their business dealings.
Commito has already formed a consulting firm, Interactive Consultants LLC, with attorney Brian T. Nix. Commito is sharing his promotions and endorsement knowledge with sports stars and entertainment businesses on product endorsement; action sports management; copyright and trademark registration, protection and enforcement; protecting assets through estate and trustee agreements; and the benefits of corporate formations. “I will always love skateboarding. I’m just going to find a new way of giving back to the sport,” he said.