One skater’s idea leads to a growing campus crew.
By Rafael Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
What began as a solo search for a place to skate has evolved into a thriving student-led community at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Founded by kinesiology senior Michael Bradley in Oct. 2023, the Toro Skate Association quickly grew into a space that blends sport, culture, and campus collaboration.
Bradley told The Bulletin that he was inspired to start the group after researching the emergence of skateboarding as an Olympic sport. According to him, he “just needed a place to skate.”
“We started in the back parking lots,” Bradley recalled. “I was told that I couldn’t skate on campus even in the parking lots. I talked to [the Office of] Risk Management, and we started scouting places. I took it serious with another letter to the university stating, ‘I am not asking for any money, but I am asking for an open skating area’.”
The two-year-old group now boasts 23 members—some of whom have already graduated but continue to stay involved. More than just a club, Bradley said he aims to build a skater community on campus based on inclusion, creativity and mutual support. Located in Lot 17, the association meets on Mondays and Wednesdays and welcomes anyone with wheels.
“Anyone can join, there are no membership fees,” Bradley said. “All you have to do is show up.”
The group’s vision extends beyond ramps and rails, according to Bradley, with plans to explore clothing and footwear design as part of a broader connection to fashion and creative industries. He said he hopes to involve students studying design or music production to encourage cross-campus collaboration.
The group also plans to host a fundraising event called “Skate and Bake,” where they’ll sell baked goods to help raise money for beginner skate gear. Long-term goals include creating mentorship programs for beginners, strengthening safety efforts and expanding their presence through both skateboarding and community networking.
Securing a steady and reliable skating location hasn’t been without a few stumbles. Early interactions with campus police and parking staff were tense, Bradley said, largely due to persistent stereotypes about skaters being troublemakers.
According to Bradley, campus police didn’t initially realize the group was an officially recognized student organization. Their sessions were interrupted more than once, and members had to present documentation showing they had university approval to use a designated skate area.
“I think it’s because they don’t understand that there is a need for skateboarding,” he said. “They are students, so I think they should back off.”
To prevent further misunderstandings, Bradley focused on maintaining clear communication with the university and secured the necessary insurance. Over time, support from administrators began to grow.
“So far, they have been very supportive,” he said. “I couldn’t really ask for anything more.”
For group members like senior Alex Gonzalez, who’s also a kinesiology student, the Toro Skate Association has become a meaningful part of the college experience.
“It’s more than just a group of people who skateboard—it’s a community,” Gonzalez said. “Whether someone is a beginner or has been skating for years, we all support and push each other to improve.”
Second-year business student Rafael Cadenas told The Bulletin that the group “means a lot” to him. He said it represents a space where he can step away from academic stress and reconnect with the part of himself that first fell in love with skating.
“It definitely had a positive effect on my college experience,” Cadenas said. “I found friends that I can hang out with and talk about topics we all understand, while gaining valuable information from the college experience at the same time.”