Off duty: Scott couple sponsor skateboarders Published Jan. 14, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- During the day, Tech. Sgt. Stanley Hindman assists with the planning and transporting of pilots, copilots, and loadmasters to aircrew training each year, but off duty he focuses on supporting local skateboarders. He does that by sponsoring them in competitions, which in turn helps them earn money for things they need like attending night school or earning a GED. It all started for him at age 13 when he was at a yard sale and bought an old banana board, said the Air Mobility Command Headquarters Unit Training Manager. "I hopped on it and rode down the side walk; after that I just fell in love with it." He started making videos and posting them online and that led him to become sponsored by a local company. He competed for six years, but then decided he needed a regular job that could pay the bills. With a hobby like that, you can get hurt often. When you're injured often it's hard to go to work and provide for yourself and family," he said. At 23 he joined the Air Force and it was just a year ago that he started skateboarding again, although this time he quickly realized he shouldn't be the one competing. " Over the past year, I've broken and cracked four bones and had two surgeries," he said. "My wife was like 'you need to find a different avenue if you want to stay in this,' so I went from pro rider to starting a skating business." It's through this business that he's been able to help out younger riders and coach them for competitions. He said he would scout talented individuals that he would see in contests and at skate parks. "I get a gauge of who they are, and I start talking with the local communities and skate shops to see who would be a good candidate," he said. "Some riders hold back due to the fear of breaking their equipment. They hold back, because they may not get to skate tomorrow." He assists these individuals with getting equipment to help them go out on a limb and not be afraid anymore. "Kids are going to be kids, but I'm just trying to help them out and give back to them," he said. "There is not a lot of profit involved. I give them all the products and incentives to try and keep them going forward and progressing, yet it's not a charity case. I am building these guys up to let them know they are something." The proceeds are assisting one of the team's athletes with receiving their GED. The teen's mom died and his dad is not doing well, so both he and his wife, Chief Master Sgt. Marlene Hindman, are working with him to pay for the education. There is another person who is going to night school. Marlene, the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (TACC) Superintendent, said, "Knowing that for our riders, we are making a difference and that it helps them out is what I enjoy the most. Even if it is just incentive to stay in school or do well in school--that is enough for us. Plus, supporting our local community is a huge bonus--we live here and we want it to be a good place." Stanley added, "Guys who usually get sponsored really don't need the free things. It's the kids who can't go to contest and don't have rich parents who could use it. That's what I gear towards, and I start with a beginning sponsorship. We work up from there and the proceeds from my business go back to the guys that I sponsor." Stanley has also overcome many obstacles in this process, but he hopes to help end negative stereotypes associated with skaters. It's hard to come in and try to offer it as a positive thing, but I'm tired of the stigma that's involved with skateboarding," he said. "It seems like people don't skateboard because they want to now-a-days. They pick up a skateboard because it's an accessory to being cool with smoking and drinking." He's doing what he can to change the negative perspective because skateboarding is what kept him out of trouble growing up, he said. He doesn't want to be sitting in a rocking chair when he is 80-years-old saying he should've done it when he had the chance. Many people know that getting involved in the wrong crowd or doing drugs can lead you down a certain path," he said. "My goal is to let these guys know that they have potential, and if they just stay clean and sober they can have something." He said watching his skaters progress, win, and get focused on something are just a portion of what he enjoys most about his off-duty work. "Last summer, when Tony Hawk visited St. Louis, the first kid I put on the team was asked to sign his autograph," he said. "That's what it's all about. After being recognized, the kid changed and he got back in line. I think it's doing some good and I let them know in the beginning this is just a stepping stone. I can put you out there, but if a bigger company notices you and wants to take them, I say go for it."