News Package #1 - Skate Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKdD24FSwmc

SCRIPT

ANCHOR LEDE:

The lawsuit that could result from a skateboarder getting injured on university property isn't the only thing that concerns university officials. Skateboarders are damaging and discoloring ledges, benches and other surfaces because of their sport. The Pentacrest is one spot on campus that sees a lot of skateboarding traffic.

College campuses are known for their picture-esque landscapes and unique architecture. The vast amount of stairs sets and ledges also make campuses a popular destination for skateboarders. However this becomes problematic when some of the tricks the skaters do cause damage to university property. A trick known as a "grind" which is when the skaters uses the bottom part of his board to slide across ledges, rails and other surfaces is particularly notorious for being damaging. Skaters rub candles on these surfaces to make them slick so they can grind easier but this causes the surface to become black and greasy-looking. Also when the skater slides across the surface he chips the marble, stone or whatever material it's made out of.

Scott Gritsch, Manager of Landscape Services here at the University of Iowa, says that his department has made efforts to discourage skating on campus. No-skateboarding-signs and skate stoppers, which are little metal knobs put on ledges and rails to prevent skaters from grinding these surfaces, are just two measures to protect university property. Skateboarders however don't let this impede their will to continue skateboarding.

QUOTE FROM JACOB VANCE

"There's so much worse things we could be doing than skateboarding that people yelling at us about that is just outrageous. I don't know. Just leave us alone, we're not really hurting anyone."

STAND UP

Spots such as the skate park here in Iowa City as designated places where skateboarders can skate and avoid being hassled. Even though these spots aren't quite as unique as some of the places on campus, it doesn't damage university of other private property and these places were meant to be skated. Skateboarders will continue to skate so places like this will allow them to do so in a safe way. For Daily Iowan TV, I'm Nick Fetty."